Sean Eamon Ryan returns to Bundaberg court after allegedly smuggling Sayet Erhan Akca

New details have emerged in the case against Qld lawyer and sailor, Sean Ryan, who allegedly smuggled a suspected ‘terror plot mastermind’ out of the country. VIDEO

Sean Eamon Ryan, the Queensland lawyer charged with helping an alleged caravan ‘terror plot’ mastermind flee Australia on a boat, has appeared for Bundaberg Magistrates court for a second time.

He faced Magistrate Edwina Rowan on May 16 who adjourned his matter to Brisbane to request for a transfer application. She said an immediate adjournment to Brisbane courts would not be “well-received” but said a Commonwealth callover could be a more appropriate next step.

Mr Ryan who has previously said he would fight the charges is yet to make a plea, and will appear in Brisbane for a Commonwealth callover on July 18, 2025.

He was successful in his bid for a bail extension by his defence lawyer Patrick Quinn on Friday, May 16, free to return to his Bargara home to care for his sick mother.

Sean Eamon Ryan, a 57-year-old Bargara, man, will front court after allegedly helping an organised crime figure flee the country. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Ryan was charged by Australian Federal Police with allegedly smuggling Sayet Erhan Akca, a suspected ‘terror-plot mastermind’, from Australia to Phuket in Thailand in September 2023; Akca had jumped bail on drug charges in NSW at the time.

Leaving court today (May 16), the 57-year-old said he was unable to talk to media.

Sean Eamon Ryan, a 57-year-old Bargara, man, was arrested after allegedly helping Sayet Erhan Akca (inset) flee the country. Picture: Australian Federal Police

At the time of his arrest the court heard he was the fifth person charged as part of an ongoing operation coined as Operation Harrakis by the AFP.

The AFP alleged Ryan and another man crewed a vessel that collected Akca in an at-sea transfer before the three men allegedly sailed from Thursday Island on 21 September, 2023, and arrived in Phuket, Thailand, on 2 November, 2023.

It was alleged Mr Ryan was the only person listed on the boat’s crew when it arrived.

The court was told the syndicate member and two other men were arrested in January 2025 while trying to help another man flee Australia.

It was from this arrest Mr Ryan was first identified and then arrested, the court heard.

He had allegedly turned down the job as he was caring for his sick mother.

The court heard he told police her care was the “only” reason he was in Australia.

Bail was granted by Mr McInnes on that occasion, in part to allow the Bagara man to continue caring for his sick mother, and also that his boat remained in Thailand which mitigated any risk he might try to flee.