Australian man who allegedly recruited for Islamic State is arrested after flying into Melbourne airport from Turkey

  • Mohamed Zuhbi arrested and charged after arriving in Australia on Saturday
  • The 30-year-old is alleged to be an Islamic State recruit who travelled to Turkey
  • He was charged with six offences including supporting a terrorist organisation

By AIDAN WONDRACZ, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

A Sydney man who's alleged to be an Islamic State recruit has been arrested and charged upon his return to Australia.

Mohamed Zuhbi, 30, arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Turkey about 4pm on Saturday and was arrested by counterterrorism authorities at the airport.

The man allegedly travelled from Sydney to Turkey in 2013 and then on to Syria, where he helped foreign fighters travel to the area.

He has been charged with six terrorism-related offences including supporting a terrorist organisation and engaging in hostile activity overseas.

Mohamed Zuhbi, 30, arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Turkey about 4pm on Saturday and was arrested by counterterrorism authorities at the airport

Mohamed Zuhbi, 30, arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Turkey about 4pm on Saturday and was arrested by counterterrorism authorities at the airport

He has been charged with three counts of provide support for another person to engage in a hostile activity in a foreign state. 

Zuhbi fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link on Sunday. 

He will be placed into 14-day quarantine at a correctional facility in Victoria before he is extradited to New South Wales so his case can be heard in a NSW court. 

Australian Federal Police's Commander Stephen Dametto praised the quick response of police.

'We have a responsibility to prevent our citizens from contributing to violence and instability overseas,' he said.

'Our laws are aimed at discouraging Australians from fighting in overseas conflicts and endangering their lives.'

NSWPF Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, assistant commissioner Mark Walton added protecting the state remained a top priority. 

'The diligence and dedication of the NSW JCTT investigators was complemented by the significant work conducted by other colleagues both here and abroad, to achieve this result,' he said.

'Counter terrorism investigations remain a priority in NSW, and any act or plan for an act that may impact on the safety of our community – regardless of when it occurred – will be acted on with the same tenacity.'

Zuhbi will be placed into 14-day quarantine at a correctional facility in Victoria before he is extradited to New South Wales so his case can be heard in a NSW court

Zuhbi will be placed into 14-day quarantine at a correctional facility in Victoria before he is extradited to New South Wales so his case can be heard in a NSW court

SyriaMelbourneISIS

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