Australia strips suspected Islamic State militant of citizenship

Neil Prakash (27) is a threat to Asia-Pacific region, says government

Australian minister for home affairs Peter Dutton: ‘This government is determined to deal with foreign terrorist fighters as far from our shores as possible.’ File photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA
Australian minister for home affairs Peter Dutton: ‘This government is determined to deal with foreign terrorist fighters as far from our shores as possible.’ File photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

Australia has stripped a suspected militant held in Turkey of citizenship because he fought for Islamic State.

Minister for home affairs Peter Dutton said Neil Prakash was in the service of a "terrorist organisation" and acted "inconsistently" with his allegiance to Australia.

He became the 12th person to be stripped of Australian citizenship because of militant links, based on a 2007 law.

Mr Dutton said: “This government is determined to deal with foreign terrorist fighters as far from our shores as possible.

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“Islamic State is opposed to Australia, our interests, values, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties.”

Australia is demanding Turkey extradites Prakash, who faces allegations of inciting a terror plot in his home state of Victoria.

However, the extradition request will have to wait until the conclusion of Turkey's criminal proceedings against Prakash, who is facing prison after he was arrested near the border with Syria in 2016 for allegedly attempting to enter Turkey with false documents.

Prakash has previously admitted being a member of Islamic State, also known as Isis, but said he had nothing to do with the group in Australia.

The government says the 27-year-old is a threat to Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The former rapper, from Melbourne, has featured in Islamic State videos, has been linked to several attack plans in Australia and has urged lone wolf attacks against the United States. – AP