ISIS Bride’s Desperate Bid for Freedom: Kawsar Ahmad’s Shocking Plea to Live with Family in Melbourne Amid Slavery Charges
- A grandmother accused of slavery offences while supporting the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria is fighting for bail to live with her family in Melbourne.
- Kawsar Ahmad, 54, is facing four slavery-related charges and has promised to live a “small and local life” if granted bail.
- Her lawyer argues that she would be “very unlikely to want to leave the house much” due to her fragile mental state and desire to be with her family.
- But prosecutors have raised concerns about Mrs Ahmad’s potential to proselytise and engage with mosques if released, sparking fears of a terrorism risk.
Kawsar Ahmad’s bail hearing has heard that the 54-year-old grandmother is willing to live a “peaceful existence” with her family in Melbourne’s northern suburbs if granted freedom.
Her lawyer, Peter Morrissey SC, told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that Mrs Ahmad would agree to strict conditions, including a curfew, limited phone use, and avoiding mosques, in a bid to alleviate concerns about her potential terrorism risk.
But the court has also heard that Mrs Ahmad’s mental state is fragile, with a forensic psychologist diagnosing her with anxiety and depression-related disorders.
Dr Michael Davis told the court that Mrs Ahmad’s isolation from her family while detained on remand was causing significant distress and that she was “very unlikely to want to leave the house much” if granted bail.
The court has previously heard that Mrs Ahmad taught religious studies to a slave, who was a member of the persecuted Yazidi minority, while supporting IS in Syria.
Prosecutors allege that she also taught other IS supporters, sparking fears about her potential to indoctrinate others.
However, Dr Davis said that Mrs Ahmad was currently exhibiting no indicative behaviours of recidivism, according to one threat assessment tool. He also described similar deradicalisation cases as “vanishingly rare”.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The case of Kawsar Ahmad raises serious concerns about the potential terrorism risk posed by IS supporters returning to Australia. While Mrs Ahmad’s lawyer argues that she is no longer a risk, prosecutors have raised concerns about her potential to proselytise and engage with mosques.
Security analysts say that the case highlights the need for strict bail conditions and close monitoring of individuals with suspected terrorism links.
“The risk of re-radicalisation is always present, and it’s crucial that we take a cautious approach when dealing with individuals who have supported extremist groups,” one analyst said.
The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of deradicalisation programs in Australia. While Mrs Ahmad has denounced IS, her past actions and associations raise concerns about her potential to influence others.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the case is a wake-up call for Australian authorities to take a more proactive approach to counter-terrorism. “We need to be vigilant and ensure that we’re doing everything we can to prevent the spread of extremist ideology,” one source said.
As the court deliberates on Mrs Ahmad’s bail application, the Australian public is left wondering whether she poses a risk to national security.
One thing is certain – the case of Kawsar Ahmad is a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for vigilance in our communities.
