Australian Federal Police charge first ISIS bride after arrest upon arrival in Sydney

An ISIS bride has been charged by counter terrorism police after she was escorted from a plane when she landed back in Sydney on Thursday evening.

The 32-year-old, understood to be Janai Safar, has been charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation as well as entering, or remaining in, declared areas.

The Australian Federal Police allege she travelled to Syria in 2015 to join her husband, who had previously left Australia and joined ISIS.

She is expected to face Downing Centre local court in NSW on Friday.

The charges come after Ms Safar, her son, and an unknown man, were escorted off their flight in Sydney by police.

She was taken into custody before she went through the arrival gates and was whisked away to the Mascot police station.

Melbourne grandmother Kawsar Abbas, 53, and one of her adult daughters, understood to be Zeinab Ahmed, 31, were also arrested upon arrival into Melbourne airport by joint counterterrorism teams under Operation Kurrajong.

Ms Abbas is expected to be charged with four offences relating to slavery and Ms Ahmed is expected to face two slavery-related charges.

Ms Abbas’ eldest daughter Zahra also returned to Australia on the same flight as well as eight children and grandchildren.

Around 20 family members and security were waiting outside of the Melbourne arrivals terminal.

There was a scuffle between security and media as one of the ISIS brides left Melbourne airport and was driven away by a waiting bus.

AFP counter terrorism assistance commissioner Stephen Nutt said operational planning for the potential return of individuals from the Middle East started in 2015.

“Australian joint counter terrorism teams methodically investigated all Australians who travelled to declared conflict areas and will ensure those who are alleged to have committed a criminal offence are put before the courts,” he said.

“This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations.”