2 teens stopped at Sydney Airport from joining Islamic State

[webfact]

2 teens stopped at Sydney Airport from joining Islamic State
By ROD McGUIRK

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Two Australian brothers aged 16 and 17 were stopped at Sydney Airport on suspicion that they were young jihadis headed to join the Islamic State group, officials said Sunday.

The young brothers from Sydney raised the suspicions of customs officials as they attempted to depart on Friday afternoon, Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said.

He did not say where the pair were headed apart from a Middle Eastern "conflict zone." He also refused to say what was found in the boys' luggage that raised suspicion and led to the brothers beings reported to the airport's new counterterrorism unit.

"These two young men aged 16 and 17 are kids, not killers, and they shouldn't be allowed to go to a foreign land to fight then come back to our land eventually more radicalized," Dutton told reporters.

The boys' parents were "as shocked as any of us would be" to discover their sons had attempted to leave the country, Dutton said.

The boys had been radicalized over the Internet, he said. Dutton did not say who had paid the boys' air fares.

Dutton said charges would be filed against the boys, but did not elaborate. As juvenile suspects, they cannot be identified.

Governments around the world are trying to prevent youth from going to Syrian and Iraq to join the caliphate.

Australians who fight for foreign militant groups face prosecution at home. Under new laws, it became a criminal offense punishable by 10 years in prison for an Australian to enter the Islamic State-held territory without a legitimate reason.

"These were two misguided young Australians, Australian born and bred, who went to school here, grew up here, imbibed our values, and yet it seems they had succumbed to the lure of the death cult and they were on the verge of doing something terrible and dangerous," Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters.

"I'm pleased that they've been stopped and my message to anyone who is listening to the death cult is block your ears. Don't even begin to think you can leave" Australia, he added.

The government said last month that at least 90 Australians were fighting with and supporting terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria and have had their passports canceled. More than 20 Australians have been killed.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-09

[JetsetBkk]

These were two misguided young Australians, Australian born and bred, who went to school here, grew up here, imbibed our values,

I bet their names weren't Smith or Jones.

[siampolee]

Kudos to the Australian authorities for their action in this matter.

[uptheos]

Let them go, but don't ever let them back in.

What are they going to do with them now, un-radicalize and train them to become social workers?

[ABCer]

Wrong reaction and action by Australian Border Police and Customs.

They should have let them go, revoke and annul their passports photograph and fingerprint them to never allow them back.

Poor 16 and 17 year old boys, born and bred in Australia are not killers. Not yet. Just give them time and a chance.

Minister Peter Dutton should wake up and look around.

I would also look into their families. But this is why I am not a Minister.

Edited March 9, 2015 by ABCer

[KunMatt]

There are terrorists willingly leaving your country and you prevent them from going. Where is the logic in that??

Let them go, strip them of their citizenship, investigate their families and if they also support terrorism in any way then eject them from your country and strip them of citizenship too. This is the hardened stance all countries need to take on terrorism now before it is too late.

[DLock]

So, you think by not letting them go, it cures whatever radical thoughts have been implanted in their heads?

Or do you think that they may now turn on Australians or Australian targets as a way of taking up the fight for IS?

I would have let them go, hopefully to get obliterated by a drone strike in some crap hole in Syria.

[Steely Dan]

Why detain them? Just put a tracking device In their luggage and send a drone to their arrival party in Syria.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Steely Dan

[oneday]

It's good to know authorities are paying attention to young men or women trying to leave their home countries to join in this unholy, deplorable war.

[Mosha]

The UK's solution? Put the onus on the airlines.

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-plans-airline-laws-to-stop-britons-from-joining-islamic-state-745128

[klauskunkel]

"they imbibed and succumbed"

just like Chalerm...

[Baerboxer]

The UK's solution? Put the onus on the airlines.

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-plans-airline-laws-to-stop-britons-from-joining-islamic-state-745128

Not surprising really given the competence of the current Home Secretary.

[ICECOOL]

Wrong reaction and action by Australian Border Police and Customs.

They should have let them go, revoke and annul their passports photograph and fingerprint them to never allow them back.

Poor 16 and 17 year old boys, born and bred in Australia are not killers. Not yet. Just give them time and a chance.

Minister Peter Dutton should wake up and look around.

I would also look into their families. But this is why I am not a Minister.

Um...they cannot travel without a passport. Customs did exactly the right thing.

[Mosha]

Wrong reaction and action by Australian Border Police and Customs.

They should have let them go, revoke and annul their passports photograph and fingerprint them to never allow them back.

Poor 16 and 17 year old boys, born and bred in Australia are not killers. Not yet. Just give them time and a chance.

Minister Peter Dutton should wake up and look around.

I would also look into their families. But this is why I am not a Minister.

Um...they cannot travel without a passport. Customs did exactly the right thing.

Where would you rather they create mayhem. In your country, or in the Middle East?

[macksview]

radicalized teenagers, off to fight for a terrorist group, stopped at the airport, aus has created proxy martyrs, what stories they can tell their mates.

honest ex-servicemen fighting with one of the worlds displaced people, the kurds, threatened with 10 years jail on their return to aus.

should have let the young brothers go, fight and die, or end up as 'ahmeds' plaything, they are not aussies, but potentially a threat to the community.

[RT555]

The next ones will just admit going to see France, the Eifel Tower, Lourve....culinary journey......then jump on a train to Turkey.

On the way back, claim they lost their passports...and voila.......Aussies soon to be KILLED IN MASSES.

[ggt]

Officials have this all wrong...let them go to join the Islamic State...bid them farewell...and NEVER allow them back into the country...

[Johnny S]

Let them go to Hell for all I care but never let them back in. The more of these creatures that leave to join DAESH (ISIS) the better - they will eventually get killed and one more domestic problem is solved - This culture were never meant to live with christians and they hate it but cant stay away from the Money they can suck out of the system ...

I wish death to them all before they kill all of us !

[uptheos]

Why stop them, they probably can't play cricket or rugby anyway.

I like the idea of planting a tracking device and when they arrive at their destination it's 'off to the virgin island' with them.

[gigman]

So much fuzz about youngsters.

Young blood" by the centuries was first to join army ...just to have some adventure...

How many in the whole world went to war even (not asked for it ) against parents wish..

Somehow nobody start discussion why it happen and what kind of reason pushing youngsters to risk own life...

Somehow media never show the background of the story ...

We have thousands of young people who even when they done any type of study finding them self on unemployment for months and years ...

They are just young and many boring and naive as we were in the past.... but our governments have more decency to take care about us...

Didn't you see ? ..."parents was shocked"...

We can not teach our kids this days as parents or even punish them because "invisible power" told them not to listen to parents .

Now when they are left alone and many skipped schools and not having any profession at all wandering on streets without hope....for better future.

So...now probably time to punish parents ..????

Problem is bigger then we think . "There is no smoke without fire" but easier is to just point the finger...

Edited March 9, 2015 by gigman

[ABCer]

So much fuzz about youngsters.

Young blood" by the centuries was first to join army ...just to have some adventure...

How many in the whole world went to war even (not asked for it ) against parents wish..

Somehow nobody start discussion why it happen and what kind of reason pushing youngsters to risk own life...

Somehow media never show the background of the story ...

We have thousands of young people who even when they done any type of study finding them self on unemployment for months and years ...

They are just young and many boring and naive as we were in the past.... but. our governments have more decency to take care about us..

Didn't you see ? ..."parents was shocked"...

We can not teach our kids this days as parents or even punish them because "invisible power" told them not to listen to parents .

Now when they are left alone and many skipped schools and not having any profession at all wandering on streets without hope....for better future.

So...now probably time to punish parents ..????

Problem is bigger then we think . "There is no smoke without fire" but easier is to just point the finger...

Oh, please, stop!

You are breaking my heart!

I can't stop crying while you are coolly sipping your cuppa.

Seriously? I am afraid you have it upside down:

Whatever happens - it is never their fault according to the media - it is the background!

Like everybody else I also was young but never naive or stupid to go to kill or get killed!

My parents took care of me as I did take care of my kids as they are taking care of theirs as we speak!

Nobody in my family grew up bored, naive, skipped school or ended up without a profession.

God save me from my decent Gov't taking care of me, my kids or their kids! Want a job done well? - DIY.

No, I don't see shocked parents ... I see parents saying they are "shocked"... and I do not believe them!

And if these 'kids' listen to "invisible power" instead of "visible" parents - there is something very wrong with the whole family!

I fear to even suggest what it is wrong with them, but as somebody pointed out - could it be in their name? Or in their God's name?

Anyway, may I be excused, please... have to run to wipe my tears and nose...

Hope your cuppa is still hot.

[Beetlejuice]

It's good to know authorities are paying attention to young men or women trying to leave their home countries to join in this unholy, deplorable war.

These people do not regard their birth nations as their home countries. In their minds they are returning back to their homelands and according to them are going to fight for a just cause. Why not just let them go? Because what is the point of them remaining as the enemy within. Then once gone revoke their citizenships, make it clear that it`s a one way decision.

The problem is that there are no Governments with the guts to take such hard line actions against these potential murdering fanatics.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Beetlejuice

[cookee68]

They are not just kids, they are killers in the making, I hope they locked their <deleted> up for a long time, so that they can realize what they have done will not be tolerated. no sympathy, regardless of age,

[cookee68]

It's good to know authorities are paying attention to young men or women trying to leave their home countries to join in this unholy, deplorable war.

These people do not regard their birth nations as their home countries. In their minds they are returning back to their homelands and according to them are going to fight for a just cause. Why not just let them go? Because what is the point of them remaining as the enemy within. Then once gone revoke their citizenships, make it clear that it`s a one way decision.

The problem is that there are no Governments with the guts to take such hard line actions against these potential murdering fanatics.

I agree, and revoke their family nationalities if gained in Australia, many Muslims that are nationals born still consider there parents homeland as their true homeland.

[simple1]

It's good to know authorities are paying attention to young men or women trying to leave their home countries to join in this unholy, deplorable war.

These people do not regard their birth nations as their home countries. In their minds they are returning back to their homelands and according to them are going to fight for a just cause. Why not just let them go? Because what is the point of them remaining as the enemy within. Then once gone revoke their citizenships, make it clear that it`s a one way decision.

The problem is that there are no Governments with the guts to take such hard line actions against these potential murdering fanatics.

Citizenship of those holding dual nationality can be cancelled, but those only holding Australian citizenship cannot be revoked as contrary to law to make someone stateless, cancelling their passports is permisable under law.

Personally I agree with stopping people from travelling to join IS due to the well documented actions of IS killing, raping and so on innocent Muslims and those of other religions. It is not justifiable to permit ones citizens to travel overseas in the knowledge they are likely to commit war crimes.

Edited March 9, 2015 by simple1

[car720]

So much fuzz about youngsters.

Young blood" by the centuries was first to join army ...just to have some adventure...

How many in the whole world went to war even (not asked for it ) against parents wish..

Somehow nobody start discussion why it happen and what kind of reason pushing youngsters to risk own life...

Somehow media never show the background of the story ...

We have thousands of young people who even when they done any type of study finding them self on unemployment for months and years ...

They are just young and many boring and naive as we were in the past.... but. our governments have more decency to take care about us..

Didn't you see ? ..."parents was shocked"...

We can not teach our kids this days as parents or even punish them because "invisible power" told them not to listen to parents .

Now when they are left alone and many skipped schools and not having any profession at all wandering on streets without hope....for better future.

So...now probably time to punish parents ..????

Problem is bigger then we think . "There is no smoke without fire" but easier is to just point the finger...

Oh, please, stop!

You are breaking my heart!

I can't stop crying while you are coolly sipping your cuppa.

Seriously? I am afraid you have it upside down:

Whatever happens - it is never their fault according to the media - it is the background!

Like everybody else I also was young but never naive or stupid to go to kill or get killed!

My parents took care of me as I did take care of my kids as they are taking care of theirs as we speak!

Nobody in my family grew up bored, naive, skipped school or ended up without a profession.

God save me from my decent Gov't taking care of me, my kids or their kids! Want a job done well? - DIY.

No, I don't see shocked parents ... I see parents saying they are "shocked"... and I do not believe them!

And if these 'kids' listen to "invisible power" instead of "visible" parents - there is something very wrong with the whole family!

I fear to even suggest what it is wrong with them, but as somebody pointed out - could it be in their name? Or in their God's name?

Anyway, may I be excused, please... have to run to wipe my tears and nose...

Hope your cuppa is still hot.

Talk about cloud 9.

Every one of them with a profession........wow!

The first thing I notice here is the same old dole bludger brigade coming out of the woodwork again.

It never ceases to amaze me how so called intelligent people can be so easily manipulated by the media, especially the Australian media.

This is propaganda at its finest. Why have 100 policemen on the streets to stop crime when it is so much easier to tell people in a newpaper or on tv that there will be a million policemen on the streets.

How easy is it to hide the facts behind not being able to say who they are because of their age.

This whole thing is a fabrication from the beginning. I wish I could remember the name of that 007 film where the newspaper owner wanted to rule the world. I wonder if his name was Packer or Murdoch. Talk about make it up as you go along.

Joe Bjelke Peterson used to call it feeding the chickens.

Please engage brain before putting mouth into gear.

[car720]

So much fuzz about youngsters.

Young blood" by the centuries was first to join army ...just to have some adventure...

How many in the whole world went to war even (not asked for it ) against parents wish..

Somehow nobody start discussion why it happen and what kind of reason pushing youngsters to risk own life...

Somehow media never show the background of the story ...

We have thousands of young people who even when they done any type of study finding them self on unemployment for months and years ...

They are just young and many boring and naive as we were in the past.... but our governments have more decency to take care about us...

Didn't you see ? ..."parents was shocked"...

We can not teach our kids this days as parents or even punish them because "invisible power" told them not to listen to parents .

Now when they are left alone and many skipped schools and not having any profession at all wandering on streets without hope....for better future.

So...now probably time to punish parents ..????

Problem is bigger then we think . "There is no smoke without fire" but easier is to just point the finger...

Don't worry. You will soon be criticized by people who have no understanding of the latchkey society that we have created in the name of making more of the almighty dollar.

[wellred]

Why were they stopped? They should have had their citizenships destroyed on exiting the country and told not to come back. That's 2 potential terrorists.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rodney earl]

I totally agree, why stop them, let them go but when they do they are no longer australian citizens. Another thing that interest me is how come they have got passports, dont their parents have to sign for them until they are 18, if so the parents are just as much at fault. Not killers, what a load of rubbish, given the chance they would be exactly that, and maybe then they may start to realise what they have let themselves in for.!!

[wabothai]

The kids need an attitude adjustment.