An Australian man who reportedly joined a group fighting Islamic State extremists in Syria is to be deported from Germany, the German Foreign Office said yesterday.
Australian media had reported that Ashley Dyball was detained in Germany after traveling to Europe for a break from working with a Kurdish militia group known as YPG.
“We are aware Mr Dyball was detained by German authorities in Berlin,” a spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told reporters via e-mail. “We understand a German court has ruled that Mr Dyball will be deported to Australia.”
The ministry gave no indication of any charges against him.
Australian officials have been increasingly concerned about citizens traveling to Iraq and Syria to join extremist groups such as the Islamic State, with about 110 Australians currently fighting in the region. As many as 45 have died in the conflict.
Canberra has introduced new laws to combat the threat, with foreign incursions offenses updated as part of new counterterrorism laws introduced last year aimed at blocking radicals from going overseas to fight. Under the laws, it is a crime to fight for militants on either side of the conflict.
The Australian ministry gave no further details on Dyball’s case, beyond saying he was being given consular assistance and they were working with German authorities.
“As is our long-standing practice, the government will not discuss specific law enforcement or intelligence matters,” the spokeswoman said.
Dyball’s family, who previously traveled to Syria to attempt to persuade him to return home, have also urged him to return to Australia.
“It is time for you to return home Ashley,” the family said in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation via a spokesman.
“Please do not fight the deportation back to Australia,” the statement said, adding that the matter needed to be resolved in Australia and “not on foreign soil.”
“It is time to clear your name, as you have done nothing wrong,” it said.
Speaking to TV program 60 Minutes in Syria earlier this year, Dyball said he was carrying out humanitarian work in Syria and clearing land mines.
“We’re here for humanitarian aid,” he said.
Dyball is not the first Australian to travel to Syria to work against the Islamic State group.
Reece Harding, 23, died in June in Syria after stepping on a landmine while fighting the militant group alongside Kurds.
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