A Central Queensland man appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court today (26 March, 2026), charged by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) with a foreign incursion offence.
The man, 33, was charged after he flew into Brisbane Airport from overseas yesterday (25 March, 2026) and the AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) subsequently executed a search warrant at a Rockhampton home.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers supported the operation by conducting a targeted inspection of the man on arrival at Brisbane International Airport after his flight from Thailand.
The inspection resulted in ABF officers detecting night-vision equipment and military patches in his luggage, and allegedly identifying material of interest to JCTT investigators on his electronic devices.
It will be alleged the man travelled to Thailand in January 2026, with plans to travel onward to Myanmar to engage in hostile activities with an armed group engaged in the ongoing civil war.
The man was charged by the Queensland JCTT with one count of incursion into a foreign country with the intention of engaging in hostile activities, contrary to s119.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
Investigations by the Queensland JCTT into this matter, specifically the man's alleged movements and associations in the two months he was overseas, are ongoing.
The man remains in custody and was remanded to re-appear before court on 15 May, 2026.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said travelling overseas to engage in hostile acts is an offence and the AFP takes such matters seriously.
"Travelling out of Australia to engage in hostile combat overseas is a serious criminal office," Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
"Anyone who attempts to engage in such an act will be investigated and be held accountable of their criminal actions."
QPS Security, Counter-Terrorism and Forensic Services Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner Michelle Stenner, praised the work of all agencies involved in the investigation.
"The collective power and capabilities of all agencies in the JCTT sends a strong message about the commitment to thoroughly investigate and then put before the courts those who engage in foreign incursion related activity," Acting Assistant Commissioner Stenner said.
"The QPS remains committed to working with its partner agencies for the safety and security of the whole community."
The Queensland JCTT is comprised of members from the QPS, AFP and ASIO.
Anyone with information about individuals intending travel overseas to engage in hostile acts or who have done so, should contact the National Security Hotline (1800 123 400).
