ISIS terror suspect accused of helping a relative make propaganda videos tried to join the Australian police and made it to the recruitment phase
- Alaa Adan Atwani arrested at a sharehouse in Brisbane’s south on Tuesday
- He was charged with attempting to provide support to a terrorist organisation
- Police allege he sent video-editing software to relative to help make ISIS video
- Years later he is understood to have tried to joint he Queensland Police Force
An accused ISIS supporter tried to join the police force after he allegedly helped a relative make propaganda videos for the terror group.
Alaa Adam Atwani, 27, was arrested at a sharehouse in Algester, in Brisbane’s south on Tuesday.
He was charged with attempting to provide support to a terrorist organisation and hauled before the court the following day.
Police allege Atwani provided Sony Vegas video-editing software to his relative Samir Atwani, who had travelled to a Middle East conflict zone and was working for the Islamic State’s media unit.
An accused ISIS supporter tried to join the police force after he allegedly helped a relative make propaganda videos for the terrorist faction (stock image)
‘We will allege that the support this man provided was tangible and would directly assist a terrorist organisation with its objectives,’ AFP Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said.
Atwani committed the alleged offence at a unit in south-western Sydney suburb Punchbowl in late 2014, court documents state.
It is alleged he knew he was helping a terrorist organisation.
Three years later, in 2017, Atwani signed up with the Queensland Police Force, AAP understands.
Years after allegedly sending the video-editing software to his relative, Atwani is understood to have enrolled in the Queensland Police Force.
Atwani did not disclose to police his connection to the Islamic State member, News Corp Australia reported.
But sources told AAP he did not last a year in the recruitment process before the connection was picked up and he was ejected.
One of Atwani’s housemates, Rohit Rajana, said he did not know Atwani well, but he seemed like a ‘good guy’.
Mr Rajana said Atwani was living at the sharehouse in Brisbane for a few months, but did not spend time with any of the housemates.
Atwani, who faces 25 years’ imprisonment, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
His matter was set aside for mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 21.
Assistant Commissioner McCartney said there was no threat to the community in Queensland as a result of the investigation.
He said police aimed to ‘identify all criminality associated with Australians who illegally travelled to participate in the conflict in Syria and Iraq’.
Police allege Atwani provided Sony Vegas video-editing software to his relative Samir Atwani, who had travelled to a Middle East conflict zone and was working for the Islamic State’s media unit (stock image)