Australian terrorist asks government for help after arrest in Turkey
dpa
SYDNEY (dpa) – One of Australia's most wanted terrorists has asked for help from the Australian government after he was arrested in Turkey, local media reported Sunday.
Melbourne-born Neil Prakash, who was a key recruiter for the Islamic State terror group and planned terror acts against Australians, was arrested in Turkey in October after fleeing from Syria.
The 27-year-old is being held in a Turkish prison while local courts hear Australia’s extradition requests. Criminal proceedings in Turkey must be resolved before he can be brought to Australia to face trial.
Prakash has asked the Australian government for help, the Herald-Sun newspaper reported, and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australian consular officials were providing him with "basic" assistance.
"If he were surrendered to Australia I expect him to face prosecution for very serious offences," she told the newspaper.
Prakash has reportedly told officials he married a Dutch jihadi bride while fighting in Syria, and the couple have two children still in Syria who may be entitled to Australian citizenship.
Australian law stipulates that anyone born overseas who has at least one Australian parent is entitled to Australian citizenship.
Bishop would not make any comment about his children.
Government minister Greg Hunt told local television Sunday the government’s focus on intelligence about the terror group Prakash might be able to provide.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has described Prakash, who has been one of Australia's most wanted terrorists for three years, as "ruthless."
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Prakash has asked the Australian government for help, the Herald-Sun newspaper reported, and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australian consular officials were providing him with "basic" assistance.
"If he were surrendered to Australia I expect him to face prosecution for very serious offences," she told the newspaper.
Prakash has reportedly told officials he married a Dutch jihadi bride while fighting in Syria, and the couple have two children still in Syria who may be entitled to Australian citizenship.
Australian law stipulates that anyone born overseas who has at least one Australian parent is entitled to Australian citizenship.
Bishop would not make any comment about his children.
Government minister Greg Hunt told local television Sunday the government’s focus on intelligence about the terror group Prakash might be able to provide.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has described Prakash, who has been one of Australia's most wanted terrorists for three years, as "ruthless."
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