Arrests planned when ISIS-linked families land in Australia

The women and children left the Al Roj camp in Syria late in April, with plans to travel to Australia. (ABC News: Baderkhan Ahmad) Members of the so-called ISIS-bride cohort have booked tickets to return to Australia after leaving a Syrian refugee camp last month. The AFP has warned that some in the group of 13 women and children will be arrested when their plane lands in the country. The families are expected to arrive in Australia on Thursday night. Link copiedShareShare articleFlights have been booked for families linked to Islamic State fighters returning from Syria to Australia, with women in the group facing arrest and investigation when they touch down. The group of four women, along with nine children and grandchildren, left Syria's Al Roj refugee camp in late April, but their path from Syria to Australia has remained uncertain. The members of the so-called Isis-bride cohort will arrive in Australia on Thursday evening. They are all Australian citizens and hold Australian passports. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he was alerted as soon as the group booked tickets for Australian-bound flights. "That was provided to us this morning, and we made it public this morning," he said. "The situation from the moment the individuals left the camp was obviously — it was clear they would be trying to leave Damascus." Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said police would be waiting for the group. "Some individuals will be arrested and charged," Commissioner Barrett said. "Some will face continued investigations when they arrive in Australia. "And children who return in the cohort will be asked to undergo community integration programs, therapeutic support, and countering violent extremist programs." Commissioner Barrett said Australian law enforcement agencies have been investigating and gathering evidence on the so-called ISIS-bride cohort, including this smaller group for a decade. That included travelling to Syria, "at a time when Syria was a war zone, with no functioning government". "That evidence and information was to determine whether Australians who travelled to Syria may have committed Commonwealth offences, including terrorism offences, such as entering or remaining in a declared area," she said. International crimes were also being investigated. "Crimes against humanity offences such as engaging in slave trading," Commissioner Barrett said. The AFP boss made an assurance that updates on any arrests and charges would be provided where and when possible. "Australians need to know that law enforcement and security agencies are doing everything they can to keep them safe," the commissioner said. She confirmed plans were in place, and investigations were ongoing, in case more members of the bigger ISIS-bride cohort made plans to return to Australia, the AFP was prepared, Commissioner Barrett said. After leaving the refugee camp last month, the families had remained in Damascus. Last week, the Syrian government said the group was prevented from reaching Damascus airport because "the Australian government had refused to receive them". Australia's position has not changed, Mr Burke said. ASIO chief Mike Burgess has said the spy agency has assessed the group and shared that intelligence with police. "Our job is to identify and understand the risks of returning individuals. We have done that," director-general Mike Burgess said. "Our government understands our assessed risk." He declined to identify what further steps ASIO would take. "I'm not concerned immediately by their return, but they will get our attention," the ASIO boss said. The Albanese government has repeatedly said Australia would offer no assistance to help the group return. "The government is not repatriating and will not repatriate, the government is not assisting and will not assist these individuals," Mr Burke said. Mr Burke slammed the adults in the group, who, he said, had put children in an unspeakable situation. "They made an appalling, disgraceful decision," Mr Burke said of the original decision of the women to travel to Syria. "If any of these individuals find their way back to Australia, if they have committed crimes, they can expect to face the full force of the law. Without exception," the immigration minister said. While there were limits on what could be done to ban the group of Australian citizens from flying home, Mr Burke warned they would face the full force of the law upon arrival. "Our world-class law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been preparing for their return since 2014 and have long-standing plans in place to manage and monitor them," he said. One temporary exclusion order has been issued for a member of the wider group, temporarily preventing that person from returning to Australia. "The legal threshold that we have is with respect to temporary exclusion orders," he said. "I have received advice in one instance so far of that threshold having b

Arrests planned when ISIS-linked families land in Australia

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Arrests planned when ISIS-linked families land in Australia

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