Australians who travel to the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul without a legitimate reason will face a lengthy prison term, after the Australian government made the Iraqi city a designated area under the criminal code.
The decision means that any person who travels to or remains in Mosul could be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Mosul is the largest Iraqi city held by extremist group Isis, which is also known as Daesh or Isil.
“Daesh has carried out mass atrocities in Mosul district, including public beheadings, killings and executions. It has destroyed numerous historical and religious sites,” said foreign minister Julie Bishop.
“Examples of these hideous crimes include the execution of 13 teenage boys in January for simply watching a soccer match.”
Bishop said the declaration sends a strong message to those considering travelling to Iraq to join Isis.
Australia will consider designating further zones, attorney general George Brandis told the Senate during question time on Monday. He said foreign fighters “pose a significant threat to Australia and our way of life”.
The prime minister last month indicated in his national security speech that the government was seeking to stamp out travel to the Isis stronghold.
“We are now looking at listing Mosul district in Ninawa province, in Iraq, which the death cult also controls,” Tony Abbott said.
It is the second zone Australia has deemed a “designated area”, after the government placed similar restrictions on its citizens travelling to the Syrian province of al-Raqqa in December.
Exemptions exist for people travelling to these areas to visit family, provide humanitarian aid or work as a professional journalist.
“The government is determined to stop Australians joining the terrorist conflict in Iraq and Syria and supporting terrorist organisations,” Bishop said.
“The government is committed to working with community leaders to combat radicalisation of vulnerable young men and women, to counter the hateful propaganda spread by Daesh.”
Bishop warned Australians living in Mosul district without a legitimate purpose to leave immediately.
The government said declared areas are a way of stopping foreign fighters from bringing back terrorist skills and training from zones in which extremist groups are known to operate.
