Zeinab Ahmad

Last modified : 13/05/2026

Country of commission
Country of prosecution
Nationality of the suspect
Australia
Gender of the suspect
Female
Status of the suspect
Detained
Status of the procedure
Indicted
Alleged crimes / charges
Crimes against humanity
Other charges
Individual / company
Individual
Jurisdictional basis
Active personality jurisdiction
Investigation started in
2015
Length of the procedure (in years)
11

Facts

Zeinab Ahmad travelled to Syria in 2014 with her family. She is suspected of having knowingly kept a female slave in the home.

Procedure

The Australian government have been preparing for the return of ISIS-linked Australians from Syria since 2015.

Zeinab Ahmad was detained by Kurdish forces in March 2019 and held with other family members in Al Roj Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

On 7 May 2026, Zeinab Ahmad was arrested, with her mother Kawsar Abbas, on arrival into Melbourne International Airport and was charged, on 8 May 2026, with crimes against humanity including enslavement and using a slave.

Last modified : 13/05/2026

Country of commission
Country of prosecution
Nationality of the suspect
Australia
Gender of the suspect
Female
Status of the suspect
Detained
Status of the procedure
Indicted
Alleged crimes / charges
Crimes against humanity
Other charges
Individual / company
Individual
Jurisdictional basis
Active personality jurisdiction
Investigation started in
2015
Length of the procedure (in years)
11