Mohamed Zuhbi arrived at Melbourne airport yesterday about 4pm after being deported by Turkey where he had served an 18-month prison sentence for joining Islamic State and other related crimes.
Authorities allege the 30-year old travelled from Turkey to Syria, where he allegedly facilitated the travel of foreign terrorist fighters to support Islamic State (IS).
The former Sydney man is also facing three counts of providing support for another person to engage in a hostile activity in a foreign state.
Mr Zuhbi is currently undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a Victorian corrections facility before he is extradited to New South Wales.
His arrest comes after an ongoing operation by the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force (NSWPF), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and the NSW Crime Commission, following an investigation into the man’s alleged travel from Sydney to Turkey in 2013.
Mr Zuhbi appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning via video link.
AFP Commander of Counter-Terrorism Operations Stephen Dametto said the return of the 30-year-old demonstrates Australian authorities will continue working with overseas counterparts to manage terrorist threats.
“Anyone who fights with, provides material support to, or associates with terrorist groups, is committing a serious crime and will be subject to the law,” Commander Dametto said.
IS remains a declared terrorist group in Australia and overseas.