Turkish Court Rejects Australia’s Request to Extradite ISIS Recruiter

This picture is taken on September 28, 2017 shows a general view of the courthouse in Gaziantep, southern Turkey. An Australian jihadist detained by Turkey last year on charges of joining the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria was on trial on September 28 on charges of membership of the organisation. Neil Prakash, who was detained one year ago in Turkey close to the Syrian border, is jailed in the Gaziantep region of southern Turkey. However his trial, which got underway earlier this year, is being held in the neighbouring Kilis region with Prakash being cross-examined via video link. AFP/Getty Images

SYDNEY—A Turkish court rejected an Australian request to extradite a citizen it believes is a top recruiter for the ISIS terrorist group, Australia’s foreign minister said on July 20, in a setback for Canberra’s efforts to prosecute him at home.

Melbourne-born Neil Prakash has been linked to several Australia-based attack plans and has appeared in ISIS videos and magazines. Australia has alleged that he actively recruited Australian men, women, and children and encouraged acts of militancy.