AMA condemns jihadist doctor
The local arm of the Australian Medical Association has urged anyone thinking of following Perth doctor turned jihadi Tareq Kamleh into Syria to think again, with the organisation labelling the move akin to joining a "death cult".
AMA WA president Michael Gannon said the AMA was appalled by Dr Kamleh's decision and believed the doctor - who is now working for Islamic State in Raqqa, Syria - should face the full force of the law.
More than 100 Australians are believed to be fighting with jihadists in Iraq and Syria and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said a medical professional joining them was a worrying development.
"This is a deep concern," she told ABC radio.
"This is clearly another vile attempt by Daesh to try to entice Australians and others to put themselves at risk.
"Joining Daesh doesn't help the people of Syria and Iraq, it helps the terrorist organisation that's on a murderous rampage killing Muslims and non-Muslim people in their way," she added.
Daesh is another name for Islamic State.
Bishop added that anyone joining Islamic State, associating with it, recruiting for jihadists or offering finance could be jailed for up to 25 years.
It comes as a photograph emerged yesterday showing Dr Kamleh, with full beard, in the lift of Perth private hospital Mount Hospital.
It is believed Dr Kamleh, who is registered at a Subiaco address, worked in the Perth health system up until late last year after finishing a stint at the Mackay Base Hospital in Queensland in 2013.
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Young doctors stationed at Perth's public hospitals are often seconded to work around Perth's private hospitals to gain experience.
But the hospital, which was contacted for comment, could not confirm whether Dr Kamleh was an employee.
Yesterday, police turned up at a suburban Thornlie home believed to be linked to Dr Kamleh, 29. They did not comment on the scope of their investigations.
The blue-eyed Australian doctor who has appeared in the latest IS propaganda video has been identified as Tareq Kamleh. Photo: Facebook
In what is understood to be the first of its kind in Australia, Dr Kamleh was outed at the weekend as the doctor in a slick propaganda video for IS, praising its health services and urging other Muslim health professionals to join him.
Responding to Dr Kamleh's move, which drew widespread shock and condemnation yesterday, Dr Gannon said it put a stain on the hundreds of WA doctors and nurses who travel to war-torn places around the world to help humanitarian efforts.
The doctor is Islamic State's most recent propagnada video has been identified as Tareq Kamleh. Photo: Facebook
He warned anyone thinking of following suit that it was a career-ending and life-threatening decision.
"It's mind-boggling that the death cult could hold appeal for an educated man," he said. "He's involved in an evil, evil cult and I think he should face much greater sanction than just being told you can't be a doctor in Australia anymore."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is outraged an Australian doctor has joined Islamic State extremists.
"Doctors should be saving life not taking life, that is at the heart of the medical ethos," Mr Abbott told reporters in France.
Federal law enforcement officials said Dr Kamleh could face years in prison if he returned to Australia.
Australia recently introduced laws prohibiting citizens from travelling to parts of Syria and Iraq controlled by IS. Dr Kamleh would also face the charge of supporting a terrorist organisation, even if he is engaged in purely humanitarian activities.
Acting Federal Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek says it is completely unacceptable for an Australian to advocate on behalf of a group that kills, rapes and enslaves.
Tareq Kamleh reportedly studied at Adelaide University before moving to Perth. Photo: Facebook
