Terrorism experts say foreign fighters who’ve returned home after fighting for IS in the Middle East will be wary after the first Australian was charged with such offences.
Sydney resident Belal Betka was charged with entering and remaining in the Syrian province of Al Raqqa in 2015.
In December 2014, the Minister for Foreign Affairs declared the Syrian province as an area where a listed terrorist organisation was engaging in hostile activity.
The declaration was revoked last month according to the federal government.
Counter-terrorism expert Clive Williams said the foreign fighter related charge is a win for the government.
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“It's proved very difficult in the past to put together charges for cases of people being in Syria," he said.
“It will also perhaps worry many of the people that came back that they’re going to get a knock on the door and they’re going to be next on the list,” the Australian National University professor told SBS News.
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed to SBS News up to 110 Australians are currently fighting or engaged with terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.
About 40 people have returned to Australia after travelling to Syria or Iraq and joining groups involved in the conflict.
Professor Williams said Australia could expect more foreign fighters returning home.
“There will be a lot more people obviously leaving Syria over the next several months... many of them will be killed in Syria but many foreign fighters will make their way out and try to get home.”
What are the foreign fighter laws?
The foreign fighter laws make it an offence to:
• Enter a foreign country with an intent to engage in a hostile activity, unless serving in or with the armed forces of the government of a foreign country.
• Prepare to enter, or for another person to enter, a foreign country with an intention to engage in a hostile activity.
• Recruit persons to join an organisation engaged in hostile activities, or to serve in or with an armed force in a foreign country.
Australians who’ve intentionally travelled to “declared areas” and return home face a maximum of 10 years in jail.
The foreign affairs minister will mark an area a "declared area" if they’re satisfied that a listed terror group is engaging in “hostile activity in that area”.
Those who are linked to listed terrorist groups face up to 25 years in jail. That could include fighting for, recruiting, training and gaining or dealing with funds for the group.
(Source: Attorney-General's Department)
