Fighting fund for Vic IS suspects

A fighting fund has been set up for IS suspects accused of planning to flee Australia by boat so they could fight with Islamic State in Syria.

Radical Islamists are being asked to help pay for the legal fees of five men who allegedly tried to flee Australia by boat to fight with Islamic State in Syria.

A Facebook page, with more than 600 followers, has been set up to get donations for "legal fees" to "release them from the shackles of the unbelievers".

The five, who are all from Melbourne and include Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio, were arrested near Cairns last Tuesday towing the seven-metre vessel en route to the tip of Cape York.

They allegedly planned to go by boat to Indonesia and then on to Syria.

Over the weekend, the five were charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities.

They face a maximum penalty of life in jail if found guilty.

The men appeared before the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday where Australian Federal Police successfully applied for their extradition to Victoria.

The group is expected to appear before a Melbourne magistrate on Thursday.

The Brothers Behind Bars page calls on donations to pay for food and rent for the men's family and says details of a bank account will be available next week.

"We need not emphasize on the importance of showing your support and solidarity to these brothers and their families," one post says.

The page also claims the five were subject to numerous racist remarks and comments during their arrest in Cairns.


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Source: AAP



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