An Australian man accused of being a member of an Islamic terror group has appeared in an Adelaide court where permission was granted for his extradition to Queensland.
Agim Ajazi, 30, was flown from Turkey to South Australia overnight before appearing briefly in Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link from the City Watch House this morning.
Magistrate Simon Smart granted an application by Commonwealth prosecutors for Mr Ajazi to be extradited back to his home state of Queensland, where he will face charges related to being an Islamist fighter.
In a statement, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the man was accused of being a member of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.
Earlier, the ABC understood he was a member of Islamic State (IS).
The warrant for Mr Ajazi's arrest alleges he engaged in offences including membership of, and providing support to, a terrorist organisation.
It also alleges he engaged in hostile activity in a foreign country and advocated terrorism.
Under Australian law, a person accused of terrorism acts can be prosecuted in Australia even if the alleged acts occurred overseas.
Turkey's interior ministry tweeted last night that an Australian terrorist fighter was being deported to Australia.
"The Australian Government can confirm an Australian citizen has been arrested in relation to terrorism offences following deportation from Turkey," Mr Dutton said.
"The man was arrested by police from the Queensland Joint Counter-Terrorism Team and taken into custody on his arrival into Adelaide on Sunday.
"It will be alleged the man was a member of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) and engaged in hostile activities against a foreign government.
"Today, an Adelaide court granted an order which allows for the man to be extradited to Queensland where he will face a number of terrorism-related offences."
Allegations 'very serious' but no 'impending threat'
According to the Federal Government, Jabhat al-Nusra — which is also known as the Al-Nusra Front — was the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.
Turkey began deporting dozens of alleged foreign Islamist fighters back to their home countries last month.
"The offences are very serious and, if found guilty, carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment," Mr Dutton said.
"Police have advised there is no current or impending threat to the community from the arrest."
The ABC has contacted the Australian Federal Police and the Turkish embassy in Canberra for comment.
