Sydney man first to be charged with foreign fighter offences in Australia

SYDNEY, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A 25-year-old man who allegedly traveled to Syria to fight in terrorism-linked activities has become the first Australian-based person to be charged with "foreign incursion offences" and is set to appear in court on Wednesday, according to police.

The suspect, who was allegedly in the Syrian conflict zone from March 2015 before returning to Australia half a year later, was arrested in his home in the southwest Sydney suburb of Mount Lewis early on Tuesday.

He was charged later that day "with incursion into foreign countries with the intention of engaging in hostile activities," the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police Force said in a joint media release.

The man, who could get a life sentence if found guilty of the foreign incursion, is also facing offences related to drugs and stolen property.

The case sends a clear message that it is "illegal to fight for a terrorist organization, anywhere," New South Wales Police Force Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing, Commander Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, was quoted as saying.

"Anyone who thinks they can, needs to reconsider that position," he said.

Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told ABC Radio on Wednesday that the man was the 81st person since 2014 to be charged with a terror offence. Enditem