A Melbourne man who allegedly attempted to travel to northern Iraq to join Kurdish forces battling Islamic State has been remanded in custody.
Jamie Reece Williams, of Epping in Melbourne's northern suburbs, faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after counter-terrorism officers charged him on Monday with preparing to enter a foreign country with the intention of engaging in hostile activities.
The charges against Williams come as authorities remain focused on countering the recruitment efforts of Islamic State but at the same time are also concerned about Australians travelling to Iraq and Syria and taking up arms against the group.
At least two Australians - Reece Harding and Ashley Johnston, both from Queensland - have been killed fighting alongside Kurdish forces, while a third man also from Queensland, is believed to have joined the Kurdish militia group The Lions of Rojava.
Mr Williams was charged on Monday, seven months after he was stopped by Customs officers at Melbourne Airport on December 28 attempting to board a flight bound for Qatar and his passport was seized.
It's alleged he told Border Force officers when questioned about his travel plans that his "final destination" was to be northern Iraq.
Mr Williams reportedly had a one-way ticket to Sulaymaniyah, in northern Iraq.
Various items of military-style equipment and clothing were found in his luggage. His house was then searched by the AFP in March, according to the ABC, when a mobile phone and computer were seized.
The warrant reportedly allowed the police to seize anything relating to the Lions of Rojava. Mr Williams, who wore a black T-shirt with the words "war dog" printed above the silhouette of a dog's head, did not apply for bail during the brief hearing.
Speaking outside the court, lawyer Rob Stary said Williams would apply for bail "shortly" though it's not clear when the application would be made.
Williams, who faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted, was remanded into custody until his next appearance in October.
Attorney-General George Brandis would not comment on the case as it was before the court. But he warned it was illegal for Australians to travel to fight in a foreign civil war.
"It's also perilous for them and any Australian contemplating doing that should not do it," he told reporters in Canberra. In a statement, the AFP said it didn't matter which side in the conflict in Iraq and Syria that Australians sought to fight for.
"While this individual did not actually travel, people need to be aware that actively planning and undertaking preparations to travel to the conflict area still constitutes a criminal offence," Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said.
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