Aussie jihadists want to come home
Aussie jihadists want to come home
At least three Australians suspected of fighting with terrorists groups, including Islamic State, want to return home with the help of the federal government.
A Victorian man suspected of fighting with the terror group has promised that if he is allowed back into Australia, he will help police with intelligence and youth deradicalisation.
Secret negotiations with the federal government have reportedly been underway for some time.
Talks have stalled amid concerns from the fighters over what punishment they would face and fears by authorities that they may pose a terror risk here.
It is believed the men have been in Syria for at least two years.
One of the men is thought to be a former Victorian health worker who goes by the name of Abu Ibrahim.
The former militant, who is in his early thirties, reportedly moved to Syria and spent six months fighting for Islamic State, but is believed to have fled to Turkey.
In an interview with a US news station a few months ago, Ibrahim explained he left the murderous group because he missed his wife and two young children who are still in Australia.
He said he did not agree with what the terror group was doing, particularly the horrific killings of western hostages.
“Some of the policies, like I said, with the beheadings of non-combatants. Some of those things I don’t agree with,” he said in an interview with CBS.
However, he said he supported the barbaric killings that took place in the name of Sharia law, and claimed to have witnessed a number of executions, including a crucifixion and the stoning of a couple accused of adultery.
He said many westerners had travelled to Syria, enticed by the social media propaganda, but he admitted the reality is a far cry from the sell.
“A lot of people when they come they have a lot of enthusiasm about what they’ve seen online, what they’ve seen on YouTube. They see it as something a lot grander than what the reality is - it’s not all military parades or victories,“ he said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he will seek more information from the government on the issue of foreign fighters seeking to return to Australia.
"Australians shouldn't be going overseas to fight in these causes or these battles," he told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"But we will seek a briefing from the government."
Labor has a fundamental belief in the concept of rehabilitation, Mr Shorten said.
