Australia revokes citizenship of Muslim cleric 'posing significant terrorist threat'

Home Minister Peter Dutton on vember 25 anunced that Australia has revoked citizenship of an Algerian-born Muslim cleric convicted of planning a series of terror attack in 2005. Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who w becomes first person to be stripped of his citizenship while still in country, was convicted of leing a terrorist cell that planned to bomb a football match in Melbourne. Benbrika, also kwn as Abu Bakr, was jailed for 15 years in 2009 and he is w eligible for release from next month. 

While speaking to international media reporter in Brisbane, Dutton said, “If it's a person who's posing a significant terrorist threat to our country, n we'll do whatever is possible within Australian law to protect Australians”. 

As per Australian law, government can only strip people of citizenship if y are dual citizens, ensuring y will t be left stateless. However, Dutton said it was “appropriate” to revoke Abu Bakr’s citizenship to protect citizens. 

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Govt applies for continuing detention order 

According to BBC, Abu Bakr, who has lived in Australia since 1989, was arrested back in 2005 and convicted of being a member of a terrorist organisation, leing its activities and for possession material associated with planning a terrorist act. Six ors were also convicted of joining group, which h planned multiple attacks. Abu Bakr’s sentence includes a 12-year n-parole period that expired on vember 5. Australian government has applied to Victoria state’s Supreme Court for a continuing detention order to extend his time in prison. 

Australian law states that Canberra is permitted to detain anyone convicted of terror offences for up to three years after ir sentence. Lawyers of Abu Bakr, on or hand, have appealed against his ongoing detention. He has 90 days to appeal cancellation of his visa and return to Algeria. For w, Supreme Court has granted two temporary 28-day extensions to keep Abu Bakr behind bars. 

Meanwhile, back in 2019, Australia h used powers to strip citizenship of Neil Prakash, who is an alleged Islamic State recruiter, imprisoned in Turkey. Australia has argued he was a dual citizen as he also has Fijian citizenship, however, Fiji has denied claim, souring bilateral relationship. 

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