Dilemma … would ISIS defectors pose a security threat back in Australia, or could they be useful in preventing the radicalisation of other Muslims? Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
THREE Australians who went off to fight a bloody battle in support of an Islamic state in the Middle East are having second thoughts and want to come home.
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The Australian reports that the federal government has been approached by legal representatives for three men currently in Syria, seeking information about penalties they may face upon their return to Australia.
Abu Ibrahim reportedly wants to return to Australia so he can educate would-be jihadists why they shouldn’t join Islamic State. Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
Two of the men are affiliated with Islamic State and one is associated with the group Jabhat al-Nusra.
One of the men, who worked in the health sector in Victoria, had previously told CBS reporter Clarissa Ward that the reality of life with the Islamic State was not what he had anticipated.
“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,” the man, known as Abu Ibrahim, told CBS.
“They see it as something a lot grander than what the reality is — it’s not all military parades or victories.”
The Australian reports that Ibrahim has told Australian authorities he wants to come back so he can tell would-be jihadists why they should not join Islamic State.
‘Not all military parades or victories’ … life as an ISIS defector proved to be disappointing for Abu Ibrahim. Picture: CBS Source: Supplied
The Australian reports that the overtures from the jihadis’ representatives pose a dilemma for security authorities. The approaches were made separately — one to the Australian embassy in Turkey, one to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and one to the Australian Federal Police.
Ibrahim’s lawyer, Rob Stary, said his client realised he had made a mistake.
“If the Australian government is going to embrace de-radicalisation, it has to embrace it at all levels,” Mr Stary told The Australian.
“This includes those who know they may be charged for what they have done but who now want to renounce these groups and be co-operative.”
De-radicalisation has to be embraced … criminal defence lawyer Rob Stary. Source: News Corp Australia
Disillusioned with Islamic State, Ibrahim is currently in Turkey and wants to return to his wife and young children in Australia.
“My main reason for leaving was that I felt that I wasn’t doing what I had initially come for and that’s to help in a humanitarian sense the people of Syria,” he said.
“It had become something else. So, therefore, no longer justified me being away from my family.”
source:news.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 