This is a joint media release from the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police Force.
A 30-year-old former Sydney man is expected to appear in Sydney Central Local Court today (25 May 2021) after being extradited from Victoria.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command officers arrested the man earlier this month at Melbourne International Airport on his return to Australia from Turkey. The AFP sought the arrest warrant following a NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation into the man's alleged travel from Sydney to Turkey in 2013.
Authorities will allege the man then travelled from Turkey to Syria, where he allegedly facilitated the travel of foreign terrorist fighters to support Islamic State (IS).
The man was successfully extradited from Victoria to NSW today, after completing the mandatory quarantine required for incoming travellers. He will now face court on a number of Commonwealth terrorism offences, including:
- One count of knowingly give support/resources to a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.7(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). This offence is punishable by a maximum term of 25 years imprisonment.
- One count of incursions into a foreign state with the intention to engage in a hostile activity, contrary to section 6(1)(a) of the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978 (Cth). This offence is punishable by a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment.
- Three counts of provide support for another person to engage in a hostile activity in a foreign state, contrary to section 7(1)(e) of the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978 (Cth). This offence is punishable by a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment; and
- One count of entering, or remaining in, declared areas contrary to section 119.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). This offence is punishable by a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment.
There is no current or impending threat to the community related to the operation.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
