Melbourne woman charged with foreign incursion offences
This is a joint media release issued by the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.
A 22-year-old Hallam woman has been charged with recruitment and association with a terrorist organisation offences, after the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) attended a residential property in Hallam today (Tuesday, 25 February 2020) as part of an ongoing investigation.
The Victorian JCTT, which comprises of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police (VicPol) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), allege the accused encouraged and attempted to facilitate the travel of a person seeking to fight with Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq in 2016.
It is also alleged the accused formed an online association with an Australian male fighter and member of Islamic State in Syria and supported the male in his role with Islamic State in 2015.
The accused has been charged with the following offences:
- Perform services for a person who is intending to enter a foreign country and engage in hostile activity, contrary to section 119.4.(5) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Recruiting a person to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Associating with a terrorist organisation, contrary to section 102.8 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty associated with these offences includes up to life imprisonment.
The accused will face the Magistrates Court in Melbourne today.
This investigation has not identified any current or impending threat to the community.
Police continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity they see or hear to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Media enquiries
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297
Victoria Police Media Unit: (03) 9247 5205