ISIS bride Zeinab Ahmad's bail denied again over alleged slavery offences

A Melbourne woman accused of owning a slave while supporting the Islamic State group in Syria has had her second bail attempt denied.

Zeinab Ahmad, who has been charged with enslavement and use of a slave, was refused bail by a Melbourne court today. The Australian Federal Police allege Ms Ahmad crossed into Syria with her family in 2015 and made multiple social media posts showing support for the Islamic State terrorist group.

The magistrate said Ms Ahmad would pose an "unacceptable risk" if released into the community. It is alleged Ms Ahmad mistreated a Yazidi teenager and ordered her to do household chores, after the girl was purchased as a slave by Ms Ahmad's father in 2017.

Ms Ahmad had her bail application denied in June after the magistrate found "exceptional circumstances" had not been reached, and the Victorian Court of Appeal today upheld that decision.

In denying bail, Justice James Elliott found Ms Ahmad posed an "unacceptable risk" if released, and her isolating custody conditions reflect the nature of the charges.

He also dismissed arguments from the defence team that the case would involve lengthy delays, saying the matter was proceeding as scheduled.

Outside court, Ms Ahmad's uncle Abraham Abbas said the decision was "absolute rubbish".

"They're victimising victims, that's all it is," he said.

The court has heard Ms Ahmad's father, Mohammad Ahmad, purchased a Yazidi teenager in 2017 and sexually and physically abused her, until she was sold again in late 2018.

It is alleged Ms Ahmad was like the "deputy" of the house, and ordered the girl to do chores.

Forensic psychiatrist Rajan Darjee told the court it was "entirely plausible" Ms Ahmad no longer supported Islamic State, but Justice Elliott noted the expert had no experience in relation to terrorist ideology.

"There would be an unacceptable risk to the welfare of other people," Justice Elliott said.

Ms Ahmad's defence team have argued she was the victim of coercive influences, stating her IS-supporting husbands were "dominant" and "controlling".

They had argued the accused's young daughter, who had post-traumatic stress disorder, would face further suffering while separated from her mother.

The judge stated this was "extremely unfortunate", but said the concerns were ameliorated as the girl was now living with the grandmother, Kawsar Ahmad, who was granted bail in June.

Kawsar Ahmad is facing three charges relating to slavery.