Somali refugee with NZ passport facing terror charges in Australia - National News | TVNZ

Somali refugee with NZ passport facing terror charges in Australia - National News | TVNZ

A 24-year-old Somali refugee who holds a New Zealand passport will stand trial next year for breaking Australia's tough anti-terror laws.
This morning a Melbourne judge decided there was enough evidence against Amin Mohamed to send him to trial on four charges of preparing to enter a foreign state to "engage in armed hostilities".
Mohamed was stopped by Federal agents at Brisbane Airport last September as he attempted to board a flight to Turkey. He is accused of preparing to fight in the Syrian civil war and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
He was told his New Zealand passport had been cancelled and when questioned told authorities he was flying to meet his fiance - but couldn't tell them her name.
The NZ Government won't discuss the case or say how his passport was cancelled. But Mohamed's lawyer told ONE News that Internal Affairs cancelled the passport just eight days after re-issuing it, claiming there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Mohamed might be involved in terrorist activity.
Evidence presented in court alleged Mohamed was recruited by Sydney man Hamdi al Qudsi who was arrested as part of Australia's so-called terror raids last December. Police intercepted phone calls between Mohamed and al Qudsi and say coded conversations allegedly talk of a big job involving holy warriors and martyrdom.
Mohamed's father died in Somalia's civil war and he, along with his mother and four sisters, fled the country 16 years ago, arriving in New Zealand as refugees. He graduated from AUT University in 2012 with a business degree.
Friends who knew him here say the charges are completely at odds with the kind of person he was, describing him as gentle, fun and non-religious. But Mohammed moved to Melbourne at the end of 2012 and his family believe he was radicalised when he relocated to Sydney last year.
Australia's terror levels have heightened in the past year following a number of terror related raids and this week's deadly hostage drama in Sydney further ratcheted up the stakes.