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Aussie nurse charged with terrorism-related offenses following his extradition from Middle East

Xinhua, July 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

An Australian nurse has been charged with terrorism-related offenses in a Melbourne court on Monday following his return to Australian from Islamic State(IS) held territory in the Middle East.

Adam Brookman, 39, turned himself into the Australian Federal Police in Turkey last week and was brought back to the country on Friday.

Brookman is charged with one count of knowingly providing support to a terrorist organization and performing services with intention of supporting a person to engage in a hostile activity in a foreign state.

His lawyer Rob Stary told the Melbourne Magistrates Court that his client would not be applying for bail when he appeared before a judge on Monday.

The court heard that police required more time to gather evidence from overseas, which could include phone transcripts, while court documents allege Brookman carried out guard duty and reconnaissance for IS between April 2010 and August 2014.

Brookman is the first man to return to Australia after being in IS controlled territory, and will be the first citizen subjected to the government's new "zero tolerance" policy regarding those that choose to travel to that area of the Middle East.

In May, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said returning fighters would "feel the full force of the law" and would be promptly arrested, prosecuted and jailed upon their re-entry into Australia.

But Brookman maintained that he traveled to the Middle East to help the Syrian people affected by the terrorist group, telling Fairfax Media last week that world leaders were "ignoring" the atrocities taking place every day.

He said he was injured in an air strike and was taken to a hospital within IS-held territory. He claimed he fled out of concern for his own safety before giving himself up to AFP officers in Turkey.

If Brookman is found to be guilty, he could be jailed for up to 25 years.

He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance, which is scheduled for November 16 this year. Endi