Australia Warns of Legal Action as 19 ISIS-Linked Returnees Arrive

Darwin, 26 May : A group of 19 Australian women and children linked to the extremist group ISIS has booked flights to return from Syria to Australia, with authorities warning that some individuals could face criminal charges upon arrival.

The Australian government said seven women and 12 children are expected to arrive in Sydney and Melbourne on flights scheduled for today, less than three weeks after another group of 13 people in similar circumstances returned to the country’s two largest cities.

Authorities said three of the four women who returned on earlier flights have already been charged with slavery and terrorism-related offences and remain in custody.

Australian Home Affairs Minister said anyone among the 19 returnees found to have committed crimes would face the full force of the law.

“The government has not provided, and will not provide, assistance to this group,” Burke said in a statement.

He added that the individuals had made “terrible decisions” by joining a dangerous extremist organization and exposing their children to deeply harmful conditions.

“These are people who made the terrible decision to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and place their children in an unimaginable situation,” Burke said.

Burke noted that Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been preparing for the possible return of such individuals since 2014 and have developed long-term plans for their management and monitoring.

“The safety of the Australian public will always remain the government’s top priority,” he added.

The latest arrivals come as Australia continues to grapple with the legal and security challenges surrounding citizens who traveled to Syria during the height of ISIS activity and are now seeking to return home.