By Laura Chung
Police have arrested a western Sydney man who they will allege was involved with the terrorist organisation Jabhat al-Nusra more than seven years ago.
Police will allege the man travelled from Sydney to Syria between September and December 2012 and June and October 2013, where he engaged in hostile activity with or on behalf of terrorist organisation Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement with a terrorist organisation in 2012 and 2013. Credit: NSW Police
Jabhat al-Nusra has been listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia since 2013.
Last year, officers from the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team started Operation Mikhof to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s travels to Syria.
On Friday morning, police arrested a 44-year-old man in Mount Lewis, in south-west Sydney and he was taken to Blacktown Police Station where he is assisting police with their inquiries. Police are also searching the man's home in Punchbowl.
Australian Federal Police Counter-Terrorism Operations North Acting Commander Mark McIntyre said it is expected the man will be charged with two counts of foreign incursions.
“Investigations are continuing into this individual to try and determine whether the individual received training from or was a member of Jabhat al-Nusra,” he said. “This individual has been known to us for some time, and he's been of interest to us and likewise hobbies and his associates.
“There's nothing to indicate that he currently possesses an extremist ideology, that's not to say that wasn't the case in 2012 [and] 2013.
“Even at a time when law enforcement is pivoting their response to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, this is a clear demonstration that counterterrorism investigations remain a priority, as does community and public safety.”
NSW Police Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael McLean said there was no threat to the community.
“The activities for which are alleged today relate to activities that occurred offshore some time ago,” he said. “There is no indication that this man had intended to undertake any attack planning here in NSW or more broadly in Australia.”