Robert Somerville, who fought with Kurdish forces, taken to a detention centre after attempting to visit his family in Brisbane

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A Canadian army veteran who fought with a Kurdish militia in Syria has been detained by immigration authorities while trying to enter Australia.

Robert Somerville had been fighting with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) against Islamic State in Syria’s north-east but appears to have left for Thailand early in 2016.

He attempted to enter Australia on Monday to visit family in Brisbane but had his visa cancelled, his father, Richard, told Canada’s National Post. He was taken to a detention centre in Brisbane and will be deported on Thursday.

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“He is not a dangerous person, I have the funds to support him, he’s not going to overstay his visa,” his father said, adding he was “absolutely shocked” when his son told him of his detention.

Robert Somerville’s lawyer, Jessie Smith, told the ABC the basis for the cancellation remained unclear. “It may have political undertones and could be contestable,” Smith said.

“Mr Somerville can seek relief from the minister or apply to the high court for an injunction staying his deportation. A team of human rights lawyers are currently examining his case.”

Somerville joined the Canadian military in 2007, serving in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010.

According to his Facebook page he entered Syria as a volunteer mid last year, taking up arms with the YPG, the armed wing of the Kurdish Democratic Union party, which has declared parts of northern Syria to be an autonomous region.

He appears to have spent time in the Hasakah province in Syria’s north-east, including in the town of Tel Tamer, which was the site of an Isis truck bomb attack in December that killed at least 50 people.

Global Affairs Canada confirmed to the National Post that “a Canadian citizen [is] involved in legal and administrative issues in Australia”.

About 20 Canadians are believed to have fought or be fighting with Kurdish forces in Syria. Ottawa has warned its citizens against joining the conflict, but only fighting with the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), a designated terrorist group, is illegal.

Fighting with any non-government group in the region is banned under Australian law. Melbourne man Jamie Williams was charged in July with foreign fighter offences for alleging trying to join the YPG.

Others, such as Brisbane’s Ashley Dyball and Matthew Gardiner, a Northern Territory former Labor party official, have been questioned over their alleged involvement but released.

Gold Coast man Reece Harding was killed fighting with the YPG in June 2015.

Amnesty International has accused the YPG of forcibly displacing and demolishing the homes of Arab and Turkmen civilians in the areas it controls.



Canada’s High Commission said: “We are aware of a Canadian citizen being detained in Australia. Canadian officials in Australia are providing consular assistance.”

Australia’s immigration department declined to comment.