A 35-year-old Brisbane man has been sentenced to six years in prison for preparing to travel to Syria to engage in hostile activities.
The Queensland Supreme Court handed down the sentence on 28 October 2025, ordering the man to serve a minimum non-parole period of four years and six months.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the AFP remains vigilant against both domestic and foreign threats of violent extremism. “We are watchful of people here at home who wish to engage in violent activity on foreign soil,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
“We denounce violence in all its forms, and our investigators pursue matters tenaciously to ensure people who wish to commit acts of violent extremism are put before the courts.”
An investigation by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) — comprising the AFP, Queensland Police Service, and ASIO — revealed that between July 2016 and February 2017, the man planned to enter Syria to fight against the government led by Bashar al-Assad.
He had applied for an Australian passport and researched flights from Brisbane to Türkiye, intending to cross illegally into Syria.
In May and June 2018, JCTT officers executed search warrants at his Kuraby home, uncovering items linked to preparations for the planned travel. Police seized a USB containing publications on guerrilla warfare, explosives manufacturing, and al-Qaeda propaganda, as well as electronic devices loaded with extremist content related to martyrdom and jihad.
The man was arrested on 30 June 2018 and charged with three counts of making preparations for incursions into foreign countries for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities under section 119.4 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. He pleaded guilty on 30 May 2024.
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond praised the coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies.
“This result is a credit to the hard work and commitment of the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team to keeping the community safe.”
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