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Men charged over alleged terrorism boat plot to be extradited to Melbourne Men charged over alleged terrorism boat plot to be extradited to Melbourne
(4 months later)
Five men charged with terrorism-related offences over their alleged plan to leave Australia in a fishing boat and join Islamic State in Syria will be extradited from Cairns to Melbourne.Five men charged with terrorism-related offences over their alleged plan to leave Australia in a fishing boat and join Islamic State in Syria will be extradited from Cairns to Melbourne.
The five, who are all from Melbourne and include Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio, were arrested near Cairns last Tuesday towing the seven-metre vessel en route to the tip of Cape York.The five, who are all from Melbourne and include Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio, were arrested near Cairns last Tuesday towing the seven-metre vessel en route to the tip of Cape York.
They allegedly planned to go by boat to Indonesia and then on to Syria.They allegedly planned to go by boat to Indonesia and then on to Syria.
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The attorney general, George Brandis, confirmed on Sunday that each of the men had had their passports cancelled several months ago by the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop.The attorney general, George Brandis, confirmed on Sunday that each of the men had had their passports cancelled several months ago by the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop.
They had also been under surveillance for some time, including when they allegedly attempted to leave the country, he said.They had also been under surveillance for some time, including when they allegedly attempted to leave the country, he said.
Over the weekend, the five were charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities. They face a maximum penalty of life in jail if found guilty.Over the weekend, the five were charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities. They face a maximum penalty of life in jail if found guilty.
The men appeared before Cairns magistrates court on Monday, where the Australian federal police (AFP) successfully applied for their extradition to Victoria. The group is expected to appear before a Melbourne magistrate on Thursday.The men appeared before Cairns magistrates court on Monday, where the Australian federal police (AFP) successfully applied for their extradition to Victoria. The group is expected to appear before a Melbourne magistrate on Thursday.
An AFP spokeswoman was unable to confirm any details about the matter and directed questions to previously released media statements. Police have said the investigation was focused on “keeping Australians safe”.An AFP spokeswoman was unable to confirm any details about the matter and directed questions to previously released media statements. Police have said the investigation was focused on “keeping Australians safe”.
“There is no current or impending threat of a terrorist act to the Australian community arising from this investigation,” they said in a statement last week.“There is no current or impending threat of a terrorist act to the Australian community arising from this investigation,” they said in a statement last week.
Brandis said 10 search warrants had been executed in Melbourne and far north Queensland as part of the investigation.Brandis said 10 search warrants had been executed in Melbourne and far north Queensland as part of the investigation.
The men were being extradited to Victoria because that was where they allegedly plotted the trip to Syria, he said.The men were being extradited to Victoria because that was where they allegedly plotted the trip to Syria, he said.