‘Evil choices’: Albanese won’t say when IS brides could return home
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to confirm when or if four Australian women linked to the Islamic State and their nine children can return home, calling their choices 'evil' while maintaining the government is not supporting their repatriation. Three major Muslim organizations are urging the government to allow the group's return, emphasizing the children's rights and Australia's international obligations. The women and children, currently in Damascus, have secured flight tickets and previously attempted to return in February. Albanese denied shifting his stance, despite past comments emphasizing the innocence of children involved.
- ▪Four Australian women and nine children linked to the Islamic State have secured flights from Damascus and are seeking to return to Australia.
- ▪Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to confirm details about their potential return, stating Australia is providing no support for the group.
- ▪Three major Muslim organizations — the Australian National Imams Council, Muslim Legal Network, and Lebanese Muslim Association — are urging the government to allow repatriation.
- ▪The children are Australian citizens and have been held in Syria for seven years following the fall of the Islamic State caliphate.
- ▪Albanese reiterated that the women made 'evil choices' but denied changing his position despite earlier statements emphasizing children's innocence.
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