250 Australians ensnared in ISIL ideology: Abbot
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Canberra has so far managed to identify 250 citizens, including young people, who have been attracted to the ideology of the ISIL terror group operating in Iraq and Syria.
The Australian premier said in a video message on Sunday that “at least 250 Australians, some very young, have become ensnared in the evil ideology of the Daesh (ISIL) death cult.”
Abbot, however, did not elaborate on the Australian citizens’ involvement in the activities of the terrorist group.
He highlighted the intensity of the measures taken in Australia to counter acts of terrorism, adding that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) is working on “over 400 priority counter-terrorism investigations.”
He also announced plans to restrict his country’s citizenship laws, promising to suspend the citizenship of the terrorism suspects who are dual nationals.
“It’s long been the case that if you have served with the armed forces of a country at war with Australia, you automatically lose your citizenship,” Abbott said.
“People who are fighting with terrorist groups overseas or who are engaged in terrorist activities here in Australia are effectively taking up arms against us. And it’s very hard to imagine that we should allow to remain in the bosom of our country people who are trying to destroy us,” he added.
Reports also say that the Australian government plans to strip second-generation Australians of their citizenships if they are found having links to terrorist activities.
The development comes as many Australian nationals are believed to be engaged in terror campaigns in Iraq and Syria along with Takfiri ISIL terrorists.
Local experts, meanwhile, have expressed concerns about the impact on Australia’s security if such militants return home from battles in the Middle East and join other potential ISIL supporters in the country.
The Australian government has recently passed a law criminalizing travel to ISIL strongholds, including those in Syria and Iraq. Individuals charged could face up to 10 years in jail.
IA/MKA/HJL
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