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'Isis nurse' Adam Brookman returning to Australia | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An Australian nurse, who has said that Isis forced him to work as a medic in Syria, could become the first person to be charged under counter-terrorism laws when he returns to Sydney. | An Australian nurse, who has said that Isis forced him to work as a medic in Syria, could become the first person to be charged under counter-terrorism laws when he returns to Sydney. |
Tough new laws which have come into place in Australia make it illegal to enter the so-called Islamic State’s de facto capital of al-Raqqa in Syria without good reason. | Tough new laws which have come into place in Australia make it illegal to enter the so-called Islamic State’s de facto capital of al-Raqqa in Syria without good reason. |
Adam Brookman, 39, from Melbourne, surrendered to the authorities in Turkey, and on Friday will voluntarily fly back to Australia with a police escort, Australian Federal Police said in a statement. | Adam Brookman, 39, from Melbourne, surrendered to the authorities in Turkey, and on Friday will voluntarily fly back to Australia with a police escort, Australian Federal Police said in a statement. |
The father-of-five is “subject to ongoing investigations” but has not been charged, police said. | The father-of-five is “subject to ongoing investigations” but has not been charged, police said. |
The statement went on: “The public can rest assured that any Australian who is identified as a threat to security will be investigated by the relevant agencies. | The statement went on: “The public can rest assured that any Australian who is identified as a threat to security will be investigated by the relevant agencies. |
“If there is evidence an Australian has committed a criminal offence under Australia law while involved in the conflict in Syria and Iraq, they will be charged and put before the courts.” | “If there is evidence an Australian has committed a criminal offence under Australia law while involved in the conflict in Syria and Iraq, they will be charged and put before the courts.” |
Brookman, a Muslim convert, said earlier this year that he went to Syria to carry out humanitarian work for civilians caught up in the conflict and was innocent of any crime. | Brookman, a Muslim convert, said earlier this year that he went to Syria to carry out humanitarian work for civilians caught up in the conflict and was innocent of any crime. |
In an interview with Fairfax Media, he said that Isis forced him to join the group after he was injured in an air strike and taken to a hospital controlled by the extremist group. | |
"After I recovered, they wouldn't let me leave," he told Fairfax, and stressed that he opposed Isis’ violent actions. | "After I recovered, they wouldn't let me leave," he told Fairfax, and stressed that he opposed Isis’ violent actions. |
Brookman gained the militants’ trust by working as a medic, and fled to Turkey in December before contacting the authorities. | Brookman gained the militants’ trust by working as a medic, and fled to Turkey in December before contacting the authorities. |
The nurse said that he understands he will be investigated, adding: “Hopefully things don't look that bad.” | The nurse said that he understands he will be investigated, adding: “Hopefully things don't look that bad.” |
The investigators will likely attempt to uncover whether Brookman was in Syria on 4 December when Australia made being in al-Raqqa a crime punishable by 10 years in prison. | The investigators will likely attempt to uncover whether Brookman was in Syria on 4 December when Australia made being in al-Raqqa a crime punishable by 10 years in prison. |
If charged, Brookman would have to prove whether he had a legitimate to be in Isis’ stronghold. | If charged, Brookman would have to prove whether he had a legitimate to be in Isis’ stronghold. |
Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |
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