Police have charged a Central Queensland man with a “foreign incursion” offence, alleging that he flew to Burma (also called Myanmar) to carry out hostile activities with an armed group engaged in the continuing civil war.
A 1962 coup brought a military junta to power, which then engaged in armed conflicts with ethnic minority groups seeking greater autonomy.
Although the country finally held a general election in 1990, conflict and instability have continued as the junta has refused to recognise that and subsequent election results.
The 33-year-old man was charged after arriving at Brisbane Airport from Thailand on March 25. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted a targeted inspection that uncovered night-vision equipment and military patches in his luggage, as well as material of interest on his electronic devices.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) subsequently searched his Rockhampton home.
Police alleged the man travelled to Thailand in January 2026, with plans to travel onward to Burma “to engage in hostile activities with an armed group.”
He was charged with one count of entering a foreign country with intent to engage in hostile activities, an offence punishable by life imprisonment.
Investigations into this matter, specifically the man’s alleged movements and associations in the two months he was overseas, are ongoing. He remains in custody and has been remanded to reappear before the court on May 15.
“Travelling out of Australia to engage in hostile combat overseas is a serious criminal offence,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said. “Anyone who attempts to engage in such an act will be investigated and held accountable.”
Anyone with information about individuals intending to travel overseas to engage in hostile acts, or who have done so, should contact the National Security Hotline at 1800 123 400.
