Appeal for Qld teen stuck in Syria after passport cancelled

Lawyers for a Queensland teen stranded in Syria have filed an appeal against the cancellation of his passport.

Oliver Bridgeman

Oliver Bridgeman (Facebook) Source: Facebook

Lawyers for a Queensland teenager stranded in Syria have filed an appeal against a federal government decision to cancel his passport.

Oliver Bridgeman, 19, maintains he has been doing humanitarian work in the war-torn country where he has been for almost 12 months after failing to return from a trip to Bali.

Mr Bridgeman's legal team, of Bosscher Lawyers, confirmed on Monday afternoon they had filed an appeal against the decision, after previously labelling it as "nonsensical" and insisting he has nothing to hide.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop last week said she would not comment on individual cases or intelligence and security matters.

The Guardian Australia has reported the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)'s report into Mr Bridgeman is based on social media posts and news reports.

The Guardian reports it has gained access to ASIO's security assessment of Mr Bridgeman which it says finds he “likely remains ideologically supportive of politically motivated violence” and is a potential threat to Australian security if he is allowed to keep his passport.

The report said ASIO was using as evidence posts on Mr Bridgeman's Facebook page, as well as print and television reports from various different media outlets.

SBS News has viewed Mr Bridgeman's Facebook page but has been unable to verify the reports relating to his ASIO security assessment.


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Source: AAP



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