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Suspected French extremist deported after landing in Australia with mace Suspected French extremist deported after landing in Australia with mace
(about 4 hours later)
A suspected French extremist carrying cans of chemical mace was caught trying to enter Australia in November, officials revealed on Wednesday.A suspected French extremist carrying cans of chemical mace was caught trying to enter Australia in November, officials revealed on Wednesday.
The attorney general, George Brandis, said the French national arrived from the Middle East and was detained at Melbourne airport on 15 November – two days after the Paris terrorism attacks – and was deported.The attorney general, George Brandis, said the French national arrived from the Middle East and was detained at Melbourne airport on 15 November – two days after the Paris terrorism attacks – and was deported.
Related: F is for farce: how Australian Border Force united the nation against it | Lenore TaylorRelated: F is for farce: how Australian Border Force united the nation against it | Lenore Taylor
“There was an intervention by Australian Border Force including its counter-terrorism unit,” Brandis told ABC radio.“There was an intervention by Australian Border Force including its counter-terrorism unit,” Brandis told ABC radio.
“He was found to be in possession of prohibited goods, namely three cans of mace, his visa was revoked, he was held in detention and deported from Australia.”“He was found to be in possession of prohibited goods, namely three cans of mace, his visa was revoked, he was held in detention and deported from Australia.”
The unnamed man also possessed “extremist literature”, but Brandis gave no details.The unnamed man also possessed “extremist literature”, but Brandis gave no details.
“This is yet another example of the determination of this government to keep our community safe, to keep it safe at the borders, just as we are determined to keep it safe in our streets,” he said.“This is yet another example of the determination of this government to keep our community safe, to keep it safe at the borders, just as we are determined to keep it safe in our streets,” he said.
The Australian newspaper reported the man was questioned on his return by French authorities investigating links to the Paris attacks.The Australian newspaper reported the man was questioned on his return by French authorities investigating links to the Paris attacks.
“What I think this case illustrates is the care which the Australian government, through its agencies, including Australian Border Force, takes to ensure that everyone who arrives in Australia is subject to appropriate scrutiny,” Brandis said. Australian immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said he did not have information to link the man to the Paris attacks.
“Where there is an unacceptable risk threshold they are dealt with appropriately.” “The fact that they were able to detect this person early on in his arrival process I think is impressive,” he said.