A Melbourne man accused of supporting Islamic State jihadists in Syria by sending money that was collected online and deposited at a Sydney bank has faced court.
Hampton Park resident Isa Kocoglu, 43, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with supporting persons engaged in the Syrian conflict.
It’s alleged Kocoglu was an administrator of a website used by people who support Islamic State ideology when he helped raise funds for a known ISIS jihadist.
Isa Kocoglu, 43, (pictured) was arrested on Tuesday accused of sending money to Islamic State jihadists in Syria that was collected online and deposited at a Sydney bank
AFP agent Rhys Hart alleged Kocoglu helped deposit more than $3000 into an ISIS fighter’s PayPal account by making multiple cash deposits at a Sydney Commonwealth Bank branch
‘Kocoglu provided funding and support to a member of ISIS, as in a member who pledged allegiance to ISIS and was in fact conducting hostile activities in the state of Syria,’ Australian Federal Police agent Rhys Hart told the court.
It’s understood the ISIS member is American John Georgelas.
Kocoglu allegedly provided him with financial support between November 2013 and August 2014.
Mr Hart alleges Kocoglu helped deposit more than $3000 into the ISIS fighter’s PayPal account by making multiple cash deposits at the Commonwealth Bank branch at Kogarah, in Sydney’s south.
It’s understood the ISIS member is American John Georgelas, who received financial support from Kocoglu (pictured) between November 2013 and August 2014
The Hampton Park resident (pictured) appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with supporting persons engaged in the Syrian conflict
‘These funds were then remitted to another associate of the ISIS member believed to have died in a suicide attack in Syria,’ Mr Hart said.
The AFP say the money was used by Islamic State to fund their communications.
‘They were ostensibly used for the provision of satellite internet,’ Mr Hart said.
Some of the money was also used to help an injured ISIS member receive treatment in Turkey for shrapnel wounds to his back.
It was alleged Kocoglu (pictured) provided funding and support to a member of ISIS, understood to be 33-year-old US citizen John Georgelas
The ISIS fighter was smuggled in and out of Turkey before local authorities realised who he was, the AFP agent said.
Kocoglu was arrested during an early morning raid but could be released on bail on Tuesday afternoon.
Federal prosecutor Aman Dhillon told Magistrate Luisa Bazzani authorities do not oppose bail.
Ms Bazzani said she wanted to hear evidence from police before making a decision to release Kocoglu.
The hearing continues.
The AFP say the money was used by Islamic State to fund their communications
Kocoglu, who has a wife and children, was arrested in a dawn raid on Tuesday morning after a 16 month Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation.
During a press conference Tuesday morning, AFP’s Commander John Beveredige said it would be alleged Kocoglu donated up to $5000 between April 2013 and November 2014.
Mr Beveredige revealed the suspect receives a disability pension, which could possibly have been used to fund his donations.
Online banking records revealed he had transferred money in five to 10 separate installations intended for John Georgelas and another associate of the ISIS.
Police allege a radical website, which encouraged people to support ISIS, played a ‘significant’ role in the man coming to acquire an extremist and sympathetic allegiance towards Islamic State.
The 33-year-old US citizen who received money from Australian born Kocoglu is believed to be currently fighting alongside the terror group in Syria.
‘The suspect we have in custody we’re alleging has provided funds both online from himself and remitted funds from other people as well to this foreign fighter,’ Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday.
‘As well as providing support to actually fund the website that the foreign fighter ran, and in addition to that was an administrator of that website.’
Online banking records revealed Kocoglu (left) had transferred money in five to 10 separate installations intended for an American citizen fighting in the Syrian conflict
‘We expect the suspect will be charged today and appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court.’
Police will also conduct an in depth analysis to determine exact details of the man’s online financial transactions.
‘Funding remitted has been from overseas and there was a number of funds placed into his bank account but we haven’t established who they’re from,’ Commander John Beveredige said.
Officers believe the man’s family weren’t involved in his online activities, and they’re not currently searching for anybody else in relation to the specific case.
The 43-year-old was allegedly supporting individuals involved in the Syrian conflict
The arrest was the result of a Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation which had been under way for more than 16 months.
‘These types of investigations are complex and protracted,’ AFP Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said.
‘Our investigators invest countless hours to ensure the safety of Australians, and to bring to account those who seek to harm our community and way of life.’
The man was arrested from his home by the JCTT, which comprises of officers from the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and Victoria Police.
His arrest will hopefully serve as a warning to others who support the conflict in Syria, according to Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Specialist Operations Shane Patton.
The man’s arrest was the result of a Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation which had been under way for more than 16 months
‘This arrest sends a very strong message of deterrence to those who would seek to provide support or fund terrorism that they will be investigated and held to account,’ Deputy Commissioner Patton said.
‘It is another example of a successful operation involving the Joint Counter Terrorism Team targeting terrorism.’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews congratulated the AFP and Victoria Police for the arrest.
‘It does present us with an opportunity to congratulate and thank (them) … for the outstanding work that they do every hour of every day to deal with what is a dynamic terrorism threat and to keep all of us safe,’ he told reporters.
The man appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
A federal prosecutor told Magistrate Luisa Bazzani that authorities do not oppose bail, and the matter has been stood down for a short time so the prosecution and defence can discuss bail conditions.
He was arrested from his home by the JCTT (pictured escorting him from his home), which comprises of officers from the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and Victoria Police
The man will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.