A 19-year-old man and Islamic State supporter, who appeared on SBS’s Insight, has been arrested for allegedly threatening a cleaner at a western Sydney shopping centre.
Police charged the teenager, known as Abu Bakr, for intimidating the 43-year-old cleaner at a Bankstown shopping centre at around 8pm on August 10.
In a statement police said the man “became fearful and security officers were contacted” when Bakr and another man allegedly approached him.
The two men were escorted out of the shopping centre, but returned 90 minutes later before allegedly threatening the cleaner again.
Police have charged the Australian-born Iraqi-Italian with affray and intimidation.
Australians supporting the Islamic State
During a discussion on SBS's Insight program last week, Bakr expressed his support for the Islamic State and for Australians who chose to support its cause.
"They don't want to bring anything but justice," he said of the group.
When asked by host Jenny Brockie what justice was, he responded: "Justice is giving, giving the right of the people, giving the rights to the people, feeding the people, sheltering the people, clothing the people."
Later Bakr and his lawyer walked off the set.
The incident has sparked greater discussion about what drives some Australian Muslims to join the militant cause.
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