NSW concerned by terrorist disappearance

"A fairly major breakdown" appears to have allowed a convicted terrorist to fly to Syria from Sydney Airport, Premier Barry O'Farrell says.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says he's concerned by reports a convicted terrorist used his brother's passport to fly to Syria.

Khaled Sharrouf, who was in 2005 jailed for nearly four years for possessing six clocks and 140 batteries connected to a planned terrorist act, has reportedly managed to leave Australia despite not having a passport.

News Corp says it took authorities 12 days to realise the father-of-four had disappeared, allegedly using his brother's passport to fly to Syria via Malaysia.

Mr O'Farrell said he's concerned that Sharrouf appears to have evaded staff at Sydney's international airport.

"I have to say I think that Immigration and the Federal Police and Customs have been doing a magnificent job," he told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"But I look to see what caused what appears to have been a fairly major breakdown."

The premier wouldn't comment on why it took authorities so long to find out that the man had disappeared, saying it was a matter for federal agencies.


1 min read

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Source: AAP


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