The family of Fatima I’Lache, a 63-year-old woman from Brisbane, has expressed mixed feelings following her release on bail after nearly 29 months in custody. Her daughter, Malak Omari, described the experience as “bittersweet,” citing the immense strain and heartache the family endured during her mother’s prolonged detention, which they view as a breach of her human rights.
Ms I’Lache has been charged with three counts of fraud and one passport-related offence, alleged to have defrauded the social security system by claiming benefits without properly disclosing property ownership, resulting in an alleged financial gain of $245,000. The Supreme Court of Brisbane recognised the substantial time she had already served, noting the “very real risk” of her unfairly lengthy incarceration. During her bail hearing, Ms I’Lache revealed her worsening health, including diagnoses of lupus and high blood pressure, which have compounded her distress during this challenging period.
Her son, Sam I’Lache, lamented the personal and family milestones missed while their mother was behind bars, describing two years of uncertainty and anxiety. Malak revealed that she had put her engineering studies on hold to assist her mother during her legal battle, spending countless hours researching and preparing for court proceedings. The family has struggled with practical issues, including Ms I’Lache’s inability to access legal support due to her financial circumstances while incarcerated.
Although Ms I’Lache was previously deemed a flight risk, the presiding Justice Rebecca Treston acknowledged the substantial duration of her imprisonment in her rulings on bail. She pointed out that Ms I’Lache had been limited in her ability to return to Lebanon, from where she emigrated to Australia in 1978, particularly amidst ongoing conflicts disrupting the region.
Conditions of her bail include reporting regularly to police, refraining from applying for any new passports, and avoiding proximity to airports.
After facing the court’s decision, Ms I’Lache’s family expressed their joy and relief but also a palpable sadness over the time lost. They are now anticipating a reunion, emphasising the emotional closure they hope this will bring. With trials for her fraud and passport charges approaching, her family remains cautiously optimistic about their mother’s future.