Neil Prakash faces trial for a terrorism charge in Turkey

AUSTRALIAN terrorist Neil Prakash has apologised in court for ‘all the trouble he has caused in the world’, saying he was ‘not 100 per cent responsible.’

AUSTRALIAN terrorist Neil Prakash has apologised for “all the trouble I have caused in the world’’ as he made a failed bid to be released from a Turkish prison.

Melbourne-born Prakash, 26, appeared by video-link in the Kilis Criminal Court in Turkey overnight, close to where he was arrested trying to sneak across the border from Syria on October 24 last year.

Appearing by video-link from prison at Gaziantep, a major city 50km away, Prakash repeatedly tried to explain his actions as a recruiter and promoter of Islamic State, or DAESH, saying he was a “new Muslim’’ who didn’t fully understand what he was being taught.

Dressed in a black, round-necked jumper and sporting a moustache, Prakash admitted he had called for attacks in Australia, but said he was “not 100 per cent responsible’’.

“Can I say something... I was a new Muslim and didn’t have the knowledge so when they taught me I trusted them,’’ he told the three judges.

“While I was there (in Syria and Iraq) I learned to learn knowledge for myself and when I learned the truth I tried to leave.

“It is something I think about all the time.

“All I wanted to do was follow the religion.

“I am regretful.

“I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused in the world.’’

MORE: Neil Prakash begs Australia for help

Australian citizen Neil Prakash who has been identified as a key recruiter for Islamic State.

In farcical scenes, the court-appointed translator repeatedly misinterpreted the judge’s questions and Prakash’s answers, leading several of the Turkish journalists in the court to interject.

Prakash has refused legal representation so was represented by a state-appointed duty lawyer, Mehmet Alper Unver.

His case lasted for just 19 minutes.

He has been charged by Turkish authorities with being a member of the terrorist organisation Islamic State, or DAESH.

That particular charge in Turkey means he is accused of fighting against the Turkish state, seeking to bring down the Turkish government, and crimes against humanity.

If convicted, he faces a potential jail term of more than 20 years.

Australian authorities, who tipped off Turkish security forces and police when he tried to flee Syria last year, have applied for his extradition, but his return to Australia would have to wait until after his Turkish court proceedings, and any potential jail term, were completed.

Mr Unver made a bid for Prakash to be released on parole, saying there was no evidence against him apart from his own statements.

But the court ruled he would not be paroled, and adjourned the case until December 26.

The interpreter told him: “the judges told me they are keeping you stuck in prison’’.

Two consular official from the Australian Embassy in Ankara were in court as observers.

There was further confusion when the court was told Interpol had provided personal information about Prakash’s identity to the court on behalf of Australia but the information had not been translated.

An arrest warrant issued by the Australian Federal Police in 2015 said police wanted Prakash to face charges of being a member of a terrorist organisation and “incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activities’’ – essentially becoming a foreign fighter.

Neil Prakash as a teenager before he joined Islamic State. Picture: Supplied

The court also declined to order the court documents be translated into English.

Prakash admitted to the court he had appeared in propaganda videos for Islamic State, and said “they told me to call for attacks on Australia.’’

“When I was going to leave DAESH they wanted to kill me because I was going against what they believed,’’ he said.

“I didn’t tell you anything before because I was fearful for my life.’’

Prakash has fought the extradition proceedings for months, asking to instead be sent to a Muslim-majority country. He has denied being a member of IS, despite admitting training and fighting with them.

Neil Prakash has called on Australia for help. Picture: Supplied