A man who allegedly wanted to live a short, meaningful life fighting with Kurdish militants against Islamic State is no longer accused of preparing to fight on foreign soil.
A single charge against Jamie Reece Williams, 28, has been dropped at the request of Attorney-General George Brandis, more than a year after he was intercepted at Melbourne airport.
Mr Williams had potentially faced life in prison after being charged with preparing to enter a foreign country with the intention of engaging in hostile activities.
But he walked free from the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after Commonwealth prosecutor Andrew Doyle announced the charge was being withdrawn.
"I'm very happy with the result, that's all I have to say," Mr Williams told reporters as he left with his supporters.
Mr Doyle did not say why the charge was withdrawn, raising questions about whether Australians would be prosecuted for fighting with the Kurdish group, Yekineyen Parastina Gel.
But the attorney-general has a broad discretion and can consider a number of factors, a spokesman for Mr Brandis said in a statement.
"On this particular occasion, the attorney-general did not consent to the prosecution," the statement said.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further."
Court documents alleged Mr Williams told a friend he could be useful in the fight against IS because of his training with the French Foreign Legion.
They alleged he said he would rather live a short meaningful life than a long one doing nothing.
Mr Williams was accused of making contact with YPG via Facebook.
He admitted to the Australian Federal Police that he planned to travel to Iraq to join YPG knowing they were involved in battles with IS, but believed it was not an offence to join them, according to an affidavit tendered in court last year.
Mr Williams was stopped at Melbourne airport in December 2014, and charged in July last year.
Magistrate Donna Bakos struck out the case and ordered the AFP pay Mr Williams' legal costs.
The court heard his matter was funded by Legal Aid.
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