Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash denies Australian connections

Australian IS fighter Neil Prakash, who is being held by Turkish authorities, reportedly told a court he has no connection to the terror group in Australia.

Australian IS fighter Neil Prakash has reportedly denied having connections to Islamic State in Australia.

Australian IS fighter Neil Prakash has reportedly denied having connections to Islamic State in Australia. Source: YouTube

Australian documents relating to the extradition trial of Neil Prakash have reportedly arrived at a Turkish court where the Australian jihadist has made a brief appearance.

During his appearance in court in Kilis, Prakash denied having any connection to Islamic State in Australia, Fairfax media reports.

The top IS recruiter is being held in Turkey on terror-related charges after being arrested trying to cross the border from Syria on false documents in October last year.

During a court hearing last September, he admitted calling for terror attacks in Australia.

Prakash has been linked to a failed Melbourne plot to behead a police officer and another attack that saw two officers stabbed outside a Melbourne police station.

Australia has formally sought his extradition but under international protocols, Turkey has the right to deal with him first.

Also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, Prakash left Australia for Syria via Malaysia in 2013. He has featured in a number of Islamic State propaganda videos calling for attacks on Australia and the United States.

Prakash will remain behind bars until his next hearing on February 23 when a verdict must be reached, Fairfax reports.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

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Published 27 December 2017 5:08pm
Updated 27 December 2017 5:22pm


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