Turkey lists 420 Aussies as threats

Terror alert over suspected IS jihadists

MORE than 400 Australians have been named on Turkey’s terror watch list as suspected jihadists trying to enter Syria to fight for Islamic State.

It’s a huge increase from 2014 when just 90 Australians were named on the watch list.

A senior Turkish official has told the ABC the list, which identifies suspected jihadists likely to attempt to join IS’s campaign in Syria through Turkey, includes 420 Australians.

About 180 Australians entered the region in 2015 and another 150 last year.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan has confirmed the government shares intelligence with Turkey about suspected fighters who have left Australia.

“I don’t want to comment on a specific number but certainly if we had information about an Australian who we haven’t been able to stop leaving Australia or they’ve left Australia and subsequently we’ve got further information about their intentions, then we will talk to the Turks about that,” Mr Keenan told the ABC.

“If they can stop any Australian going to the conflict zone then that is obviously a good thing.”

The Turkish Government has also reportedly begun proceedings for Australian terrorist Neil Prakash to be extradited to Australia.

It is understood Prakash has been accused of foreign incursion, membership of a terrorist organisation and recruitment.

Mr Keenan declined to comment on the details but said Turkey was “very aware” of Australia’s interest in the case.

“If we were to prosecute anyone for those crimes, the penalties in Australia are as severe as they can be – life imprisonment,” he said.

Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warned there were concerns that about 600 South-East Asian terrorist fighters in Iraq and Syria could return to the Asia-Pacific region after IS was defeated.

The Australian reported yesterday that a new biometric data system had led to more than 20 known or suspected foreign terrorists being blocked from entering Australia.

The terror suspects were caught trying to enter the country using business and short-term holiday visas.