Three women linked to the Islamic State and eight children are expected to arrive in Melbourne, while another woman and child are due to land in Sydney, prompting fresh political and security concerns over the return of Australians from detention camps in Syria.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson described the return of the ‘ISIS brides’ as an “unacceptable threat” to community safety and social cohesion, calling on the Allan government to explain how risks would be managed.
“The expected return of a number of ISIS brides into Victoria today represents an unacceptable threat to community safety and social cohesion,” Wilson said.
“The Victorian Liberals and Nationals believe any adult who has left Australia to align themselves with a barbaric terrorist organisation should not be welcomed back into our state.”
The group had spent almost seven years in detention camps in Syria after travelling to the conflict zone during the height of ISIS operations.
Tony Burke said the federal government was informed after the group booked flights to Australia but stressed Canberra had not assisted with their return.
“The government is not repatriating and will not repatriate, the government is not assisting and will not assist these individuals,” Burke said.
He said the women had made “an appalling, disgraceful decision” by travelling to Syria and warned they would face the “full force of the law” if evidence of criminal conduct existed.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed authorities had been preparing for the possible return of the cohort for years and said some individuals would be arrested upon arrival.
“Some individuals will be arrested and charged,” Barrett said.
“Some will face continued investigations when they arrive in Australia.”
She added that children returning to Australia would undergo community integration, therapeutic support and countering violent extremism programs.
Barrett said Australian investigators had gathered evidence over the past decade, including inquiries conducted inside Syria during the civil war, to determine whether Australians who travelled to ISIS-controlled territory committed terrorism or international crimes.
Those investigations included possible offences linked to entering declared terrorist areas and allegations involving crimes against humanity, including slave trading.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the domestic spy agency had assessed the returning group and shared intelligence with law enforcement agencies.
“Our job is to identify and understand the risks of returning individuals. We have done that,” Burgess said.
“I’m not concerned immediately by their return, but they will get our attention.”
Anne Aly said anyone who travelled to Syria during the peak of ISIS activity had done so despite warnings and legal restrictions already in place at the time.
“That indicates that anyone who went there at that time went there with a nefarious purpose, with a commitment to the ISIS agenda of establishing a caliphate by violent means,” she said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said operational matters surrounding the arrivals would be handled by police and security agencies, but maintained community safety remained the government’s top priority.
Authorities have indicated further monitoring, investigations and possible prosecutions could continue after the group arrives in Australia.
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