Australia wants Isis terrorist extradited
AUSTRALIA: The federal government wants Islamic State fighter Neil Prakash brought to Australia to face a raft of terrorism charges.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan says the government has formally requested the extradition of the Islamic State recruiter, propagandist and attack planner.
Prakash has been arrested in Turkey six months after he was believed to have been killed in a drone strike in neighbouring Iraq.
‘‘Prakash is subject to a formal extradition request from Australia,’’ a spokeswoman for Keenan said.
‘‘We are conscious that this individual has been arrested by Turkish authorities and their processes need to be respected and allowed to be completed.’’
Prakash’s arrest was the result of close collaboration between Australian and Turkish authorities, the government says.
It reported Prakash’s death in May on the basis of advice from the United States he had been killed in an airstrike.
The government has defended the error, saying its capacity to verify such claims in an ungoverned war zone is limited.
Prakash, who lived in Melbourne before leaving to join Isis in 2013, is accused of involvement in several foiled Australian terrorist plots.
The AFP issued a warrant for Prakash’s arrest in 2015 for being a member of a terrorist organisation and for incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activities.
The 25-year-old, described as a ‘‘highvalue’’ target, could also face other charges related to foreign fighting, recruitment and attack planning. The Muslim convert is believed to have been a key conduit for foreign fighters travelling to the conflict zone.
The charge of being linked to a terrorist organisation alone carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
Prakash also goes by the name Abu Khaled al-cambodi and was alleged to be communicating with a group of Melbourne men plotting an Anzac Day terrorist attack last year.
The fact Prakash has been captured alive could present challenges for the government, including the offences he can be charged with, and where he should be remanded if he is returned to Australia.
Radicalisation in the Australian prison system, particularly in Victoria and NSW, has been difficult to quell, particularly when it comes to high-profile inmates, as Prakash would be. - Fairfax