Woman arrested in Australia on charges of joining ISIS in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Australian Police detained on Thursday a woman on charges of entering Syria to live with her husband who was a militant of the Islamic State Organization (ISIS). 

The woman, Mariam Raad, has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police in cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism team of New South Wales, the police said in a statement.

The authorities said she traveled to Syria in early 2014 to join her husband Mohammad Zahab who left Australia in 2013 to engage in the ranks of ISIS.

The woman was repatriated to Australia in October 2022 from the al-Roj refugee camp in northeastern Syria, the police statement said.

The police said they started investigations when she was still in Syria and continued after her return to Australia.

The arrest took place after Australian authorities obtained evidence allowed them to charge the woman.

She has been charged of entering and remaining in ISIS-held areas in Syria, despite being aware of the implications. She faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if proven guilty.

According to Australian Media, Raad will appear in Griffith Local Court on Friday to apply for release on bail.

Her husband Muhammad Zahab is believed to have been killed five years after reaching Syria and joining ISIS.