Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – ABC News reported that Alleged ISIS fighter Neil Prakash has been extradited to Melbourne under federal police escort and has been charged with six terrorism-related offences.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) released footage of the flight from Darwin to Melbourne, which shows Mr Prakash being escorted across the tarmac in the dead of night before being bundled into a vehicle. Mr Prakash, 31, was last week extradited from Türkiye, formerly Turkey, to Darwin.
The Northern Territory Chief Judge on Friday approved prosecutors’ requests for Mr Prakash to be extradited to Melbourne to be charged by the AFP Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
The AFP on Sunday confirmed he had been charged with six offences, including engaging in hostile activity in a foreign state, being a member of a terrorist organisation and entering or remaining in a declared area.
Mr Prakash’s case was heard before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court shortly after midday on Sunday for a filing hearing.
Police alleged in court documents Mr Prakash was intentionally a member of a terrorist organisation, namely the Islamic State group, between June 14, 2014 and September 23, 2016.
He is charged with providing support to the terror group for the same time period.
Police allege Mr Prakash entered and remained in the declared area of Al-Raqqa Province in Syria between December 5, 2014 and September 23, 2016.
Engaging in hostile activity in a foreign state carries a maximum penalty of life in prison under the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978. Engaging in a hostile activity in a foreign country also carries a life penalty under the Criminal Code Act 1995.
In a statement, Acting Assistant Commissioner Sandra Booth reiterated that there was no imminent threat to public safety.
“The AFP Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team has worked tirelessly on this investigation since March 2015 to ensure this man could be brought before the courts,” she said.
“The AFP and our partners are committed to keeping Australians safe.”
Mr Prakash is expected to return to court on February 27 for a committal mention.
