A former Islamic Centre bookstore owner who allegedly sent money to fund terrorist activities in Syria has been committed to stand trial in Brisbane.
Omar Succarieh, 32, smiled at supporters and gave a thumbs up before he was led from the dock following a high-security committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
He did not enter a plea to charges of making funds available to the Jabhat al-Nusra group, facilitating arrangements for Logan resident Agim Kruezi's passage to Syria, and causing money to be given to Kruezi in preparation for an offence against the Crimes (Foreign Incursion and Recruitment) Act.
Security was on high alert for Friday's hearing, with police on hand and an extra screening point outside the court room.
Succarieh's lawyer used the session to grill Middle East expert Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute think tank, whose report forms part of the Commonwealth case.
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Dr Shanahan was forced to defend statements including that it was relatively easy to transfer money to Syria, and that Jabhat al-Nusra was involved in civilian bombings, summary executions and the kidnapping of 13 nuns in 2013.
He clashed with defence lawyer Saul Holt QC over his use of sources, including the Huffington Post and online journals.
"What I'm trying to figure out is whether you actually know about Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria, or whether the only things you can tell us are things that you've just gone away and read," Mr Holt asked.
Dr Shanahan replied: "That's the nature of Jabhat al-Nusra. Unless you are a member of Jabhat al-Nusra, unless you're researching inside Syria, then you're reliant on other sources."
Succarieh and Kruezi, 23, have been behind bars since their arrest in September 2014.
At a 2014 bail hearing federal police alleged Succarieh transferred two payments - one totalling $27,000 - to his brother Abraham in Syria in 2014.
It was also alleged the father of three was caught on tape disparaging Australia, and frequently accessed graphic material relating to violent Islamic militarism, torture, mutilations and executions.
It's believed Succarieh is the brother of an Australian suicide bomber who blew himself up in Syria in September 2013.
No date has been set for Succarieh's trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court.
