Why Albanese Government could be powerless to stop Dr Jihad returning to Australia
The Albanian Government says it may be powerless to stop a former Perth doctor who joined ISIS from returning to Australia after the shocking revelation he is still alive.
However, Tariq Kamleh, known as Doctor Jihad after joining ISIS in Syria in 2015 and appearing in propaganda videos, is expected to be arrested immediately on terrorism charges.
Kamleh was thought to have been killed in an airstrike in late 2017.
But he is reportedly one of 13 people with links to the terror group who are now trying to return to Australia, despite Kamleh promising he would never return.
The Federal Government has said it will not assist the 41-year-old, but he faces constitutional limits on preventing him and other foreign fighters from returning to their home countries.
This follows the return of four alleged ISIS brides and their nine children earlier this year.
A spokesman said on Wednesday the Government “will not provide any assistance to any Australian who has made the terrible choice to lead a dangerous terrorist organisation”.
“For some in this group, returning to Australia would mean facing the full force of the law,” the spokesman said.
“The safety of the Australian community is this Government’s top priority.” Asked whether Kamleh would be allowed to return, Environment Minister Murray Watt said: “Time will tell. Sometimes there are limits to what governments can do.”
Appearing on Sky, Senator Watt said his political rivals knew there were “constitutional limits” on what the Government could do to prevent the return of Australian citizens, noting that 40 foreign fighters had returned to Australia while the Coalition was in power.
“Just as we do not provide assistance to recently returned women and children, we will not provide any assistance to this individual or this group,” Senator Watt said.
“And if anyone has done anything that violates Australian law, they will face the full force of the law if they return.”
Kamleh is wanted by the Australian Federal Police on an active arrest warrant for terrorism offences, including membership and membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Prime Minister Roger Cook said he hoped Kamleh would remain detained in Iraq.
“Yes, he is alive and in prison. I hope he stays in Iraq and helps them continue to eliminate the insidious influence of ISIS on these countries,” he said.
“The Federal Government manages these affairs in a way that ultimately ensures we are accountable to our citizens, but we also keep our communities safe.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Kamleh had “renounced any moral rights to Australian citizenship”.
“Unlike the Albanian Labor Party government, which has failed to be honest or transparent with the Australian public about its role in facilitating the return of ISIS terrorists, the One Nation government will take every possible measure to ensure they never return,” he said in a statement.
You can read more details about ‘The secret life of Dr Jihad’ at: Western Australia.
