Terrorist sympathiser Isa Kocoglu avoids jail after sending IS fighter money
A Melbourne dad who sent nearly $3000 to an Islamic State leader has avoided a prison sentence, walking free after promising to be on good behaviour for the next 12 months.
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A terrorist sympathiser, who supported an Islamic State leader’s hostile campaign in Syria by sending him money, has avoided jail and will not have to undergo a deradicalisation program.
Melbourne father Isa Kocoglu walked free from Victoria’s County Court today on a promise he would be of good behaviour for the next 12 months.
Kocoglu, 45, had pleaded guilty to two counts of sending money to IS fighter and chief propagandist John Georgelas with the intention of supporting foreign incursions.
In 2014, he sent almost $3000 to Georgelas, also known as Yahya al-Bahrumi, telling him the money was “donated by Muslims” and to use it for “whatever you deem fit”.
Kocoglu was not arrested until October 2017 when police swooped on his Hampton Park home.
Images advocating violent extremism including screenshots of a video of men about to be executed by hooded men were found on his computer.
An article discussing the Sydney Lindt cafe siege was also found saved on the desktop.
Some other material supporting jihad dated back to 2005.
When interviewed by police, Kocoglu said the money was to pay for Georgelas’ propaganda website.
“I didn’t provide money for him to go buy bombs and guns,” he said.
The maximum penalty for his offending is 10 years.
But County Court Judge Gregory Lyon declared the 31 days of time Kocoglu had already served on remand when he was arrested was sufficient punishment.
“I have decided it is not in the interest of justice that you return to prison,” Judge Lyon said.
Judge Lyon said Kocoglu had been a law-abiding citizen who had met stringent bail conditions since his arrest, including daily reporting to police.
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Kocoglu was “shameful” for his actions, had not been in trouble with the law before, the amount transferred was not at the highest and the purpose he says he paid the money were key reasons for the sentence imposed, Judge Lyon said.
He placed Kocoglu on a recognisance release order, where he has to pay $500 bond and be of good behaviour for a year.
No other orders for monitoring or to take part in rehabilitative programs were made.