A Melbourne disability pensioner charged with funding Islamic State fighters in Syria has been freed on a $50,000 surety.
Isa Kocoglu was bailed on Thursday on strict conditions banning him from contact with ISIS sympathisers and social media, except to contact family members.
The 43-year-old married father from Hampton Park is charged with supporting persons engaged in hostile activity in Syria.
Isa Kocoglu was bailed on Thursday on strict conditions banning him from contact with ISIS sympathisers and social media, except to contact family members
The 43-year-old married father from Hampton Park is charged with supporting persons engaged in hostile activity in Syria
Australian Federal Police allege Mr Kocoglu sent almost $4000, using online payment system PayPal
Australian Federal Police allege Mr Kocoglu sent almost $4000, using online payment system PayPal, to a known ISIS jihadist between November 2013 and August 2014.
It’s alleged he administered a website used by people who support Islamic State ideology when he helped raise funds for the ISIS member.
The Victorian Supreme Court was told he made admissions to police, but claimed the money was being sent to someone engaged in humanitarian aid in Syria, rather than a terrorist.
The AFP believed Mr Kocoglu poses an unacceptable risk of interfering with witnesses and failing to answer bail if released.
But commonwealth prosecutors did not oppose bail, provided there were strict conditions.
It’s alleged he administered a website used by people who support Islamic State ideology when he helped raise funds for the ISIS member
The AFP believed Mr Kocoglu poses an unacceptable risk of interfering with witnesses and failing to answer bail if released
The court was told Mr Kocoglu had family ties to Turkey and expressed a desire to migrate to Syria.
But his defence said he surrendered his Australian passport and was able to immediately hand in his expired Turkish passport.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Kocoglu was on a disability support pension due to his obesity and mental health.
The court was told Mr Kocoglu had family ties to Turkey and expressed a desire to migrate to Syria
But his defence said he surrendered his Australian passport and was able to immediately hand in his expired Turkish passport
At the time of his arrest, Mr Kocoglu was on a disability support pension due to his obesity and mental health
He took his fight to the Supreme Court after being refused bail by a magistrate in October.
Justice David Beach ruled on Thursday the risk he posed could be reduced with a surety and strict conditions.
He ordered Mr Kocoglu report daily to police, obey a 10pm to 6am curfew and stay in Victoria.
He is banned from social media, except for unencrypted services such as Skype to contact family members, and limited him to one phone service in his name.
Mr Kocoglu was arrested during an early morning raid in October, but had been under investigation for more than a year.
Mr Kocoglu was arrested during an early morning raid in October, but had been under investigation for more than a year
Justice David Beach ruled on Thursday the risk he posed could be reduced with a surety and strict conditions
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