Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity

A third woman who also returned to Australia from Syria was charged with joining a terrorist organisation.

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Kawsar Ahmad, 53 and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31 appeared in a Melbourne court on Friday, less than 24 hours after they were arrested at the airport, and were remanded in custody.

Kawsar Ahmad faces four charges of crimes against humanity with police alleging she went to Syria in 2014 and kept a female slave in her home. Zeinab Ahmad faces two similar charges.

In Sydney, Janai Safar, 32, also appeared in court, charged with allegedly entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining IS. She arrived in Sydney on Thursday with her son.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege Kawsar Ahmad, previously known as Abbas, travelled to Syria in 2014 with her husband and children, and was complicit in the purchase of a female slave for US$10,000, "and knowingly kept the woman in the home".