A worker has appeared in court charged with “exit trafficking” after allegedly abandoning his wife during an overseas trip and returning to Australia alone.
Ali Rahimi, 29, was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers on Wednesday morning, nine months after officers first raided his home in Auburn, western Sydney, where they allegedly seized passports, phones and travel documents.
The tiler was charged with one count of trafficking people out of Australia by deception, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Police say Rahmi’s wife first contacted AFP last November, claiming she had been left stranded in Pakistan without any documentation.
Rahim is alleged to have deceived his wife by telling her that they and their two children would travel abroad to visit relatives.
The woman reportedly agreed to the trip before the family flew to Afghanistan in July 2023 for a vacation.
They then traveled to Pakistan, where Rahimi allegedly took control of his wife’s tickets, passports and other travel documents.
Ali Rahimi, 29 (pictured), was charged with one count of exit trafficking after he allegedly abandoned his wife in Pakistan after tricking her into going on a trip abroad.
Rahimi (pictured left) was arrested on Wednesday morning by AFP agents.
Police say Rahimi told his wife he would return to Afghanistan to visit friends after the family arrived in Pakistan.
The woman allegedly discovered in September that Rahimi had returned to Australia alone.
AFP worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help the woman and her children return safely to Australia.
During Rahimi’s bail hearing at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday, his lawyer Lisa Dao refuted allegations that her client took control of his wife’s travel documents.
Ms Dao said Rahimi’s wife was able to access his documents during the trip. The Telegraph newspaper information.
The tiler (pictured leaving the court) faces a sentence of up to 12 years in prison
The court heard Rahimi intends to contest the charge while Ms Dao disputed concerns raised by the prosecution that her client poses a flight risk.
Ms. Dao told the court that Rahimi went on vacation abroad last July after the trip was approved by federal agents.
He added that he runs a tile business and has family living in Sydney.
Police opposed Rahimi’s bail application, saying the case against him was strong.
However, Rahimi was released on bail on condition that he does not contact his wife or family members.
He must also report to police three times a week and surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions.
He will appear in court again at a later date.
Ali Rahimi leaves Burwood Court on Wednesday after being granted bail
This comes after AFP interim inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias issued a general statement on outbound trafficking, describing it as a serious crime that often goes unreported.
“Outbound trafficking may involve one person using coercion, deception or threat to arrange or facilitate another person leaving Australia,” Detective Tsardoulias said.
‘No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning against their will.
“We want victims to know that the AFP is here to help them and that their safety and well-being are our primary concern when investigating these matters. Each case is handled with compassion and great care, and the needs of the victims are always paramount.”
If you suspect that you or someone else is suffering or is at risk of becoming a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking, call AFP on 131 237.
