Australia continues bid to return IS suspect from Turkey
Jul 20, 2018
The Australian prime minister says his government will not give up its quest to prosecute an Australian Islamic State group suspect despite a Turkish court rejecting an extradition application
CANBERRA, Australia — Australia will not give up its quest to prosecute an Australian Islamic State group suspect despite a Turkish court rejecting an extradition application, the Australian prime minister said on Friday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was disappointed that the Criminal Court in the southern city of Kilis on Thursday rejected Australia's request to extradite Australian citizen Neil Prakash.
"We'll be working closely with the Turkish authorities to see how we can ensure that he is brought back to face justice in Australian courts.," Turnbull told reporters.
"He remains in custody in Turkey and we will do everything we can to that ensure Neil Prakash is brought to account for his crimes," Turnbull added.
Turnbull described the 27-year-old alleged militant recruiter as a threat to Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
"Our goal is to ensure that Neil Prakash is not ever able to practice his evil trade of terrorism ever again," Turnbull said.
Turkish lawyer Mehmet Alper Unver said prosecutors, who argued for Prakash's extradition, had the right to appeal the verdict. Prakash could be freed from Turkish custody if the court ascertains that he is not under investigation for other crimes, Unver said.
Turnbull said Prakash also faced charges under Turkish law.
"The Turkish government is equally determined to deal with him," Turnbull said. "We will be working with them. Our job is to keep Australians safe and we are determined to keep Neil Prakash behind bars."
Prakash has been in Turkish custody near the border with Syria since 2016, after he attempted to enter Turkey with false documents.
The former rapper from Melbourne had featured in IS videos, has been linked to several attack plans in Australia and has urged lone wolf attacks against the United States.
He faces a potential life sentence if convicted in Australia of terrorism offenses.
More News
The real pain from rising interest rates is yet to come
The number of borrowers who are behind on their mortgage payments is rising, and it’s likely to climb further as rate hikes bite.
Coalition threat to sink gas reform triggers rare industry backlash
A broad alliance of business chiefs and unions has mounted a last-minute push for the Coalition to pass Labor’s domestic gas-reservation laws.
A new fast-food giant is coming to Australia. Its unusual ingredients aren’t the only talking point
A new chain will enter Australia’s crowded fast-food chicken market after wowing Anthony Albanese at one of its Manila stores. We put some of its dishes to the test.
Wall Street’s wild Nvidia ride delivers big paydays and even bigger bruises
Investors are doubling down on speculative wagers that have delivered both spectacular gains and crushing losses this year.
Inside Boeing’s mission to rebuild trust in the 737 after years of turbulence
In the airline industry, attention to detail is everything. Boeing’s recovery is tied to reforms on its manufacturing floor in Washington.
Commercial childcare is hitting a brick wall. Who will pick up the pieces?
Australia’s largest childcare provider has signalled its intent to surrender to a lowball private equity bid as other for-profit providers collapse in record numbers.
‘I don’t care’: Inside Jensen Huang’s last hours as Nvidia CEO
At the end, Jensen Huang looked broken and shattered, his legendary energy depleted.
I worked part-time at David Jones. I know exactly why the business failed
Lift operators, bra fitters and lying sales assistants – I mourn you all.
How Elon Musk drove the Cybertruck and Tesla’s ambitions off a cliff
Elon Musk’s passion project crashed and burned. Its demise carries a lot of weight,
M.J. Bale axed its retail boss while she was on maternity leave. Now she’s fighting back
The Australian menswear retailer made its high-flying retail boss redundant days before her scheduled return from parental leave.
‘Either brave or mad’: A bastion of fine dining gets a sorely needed facelift
Rob and Tammy Charter had other ideas about how they wanted to spend post-work life. Like buying a heritage pub.
This Qantas jet was hit by lightning. It’s still grounded two weeks later
Pictures show the damage left by a lightning bolt, with charred areas of the skin and mesh exposed, on a plane that arrived in Melbourne from Los Angeles last month.