PM announces arrest of man later named as Haisem Zahab, who faces foreign incursion charges over alleged advice to Isis on ‘high-tech weapons capability’

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A man arrested in the New South Wales town of Young for allegedly seeking to advise Isis on how to develop weapons systems has been charged with terrorism offences.

Haisem Zahab, 42, appeared in Young local court on Tuesday charged with two foreign incursion offences which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He was also charged with failing to comply with an order to assist in the access of data.

Zahab, an Australian-born citizen, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear in Parramatta local court on 8 March.

The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said the Australian federal police and New South Wales police had arrested the man, an electrician, on Tuesday morning.

Turnbull said the evidence uncovered at this stage did not point to any alleged domestic attack.

“This morning, the Australian federal police arrested a 42-year-old man in the New South Wales town of Young in relation to terrorism offences.” Turnbull said. “Police will allege that the man arrested has sought to advise Isil on how to develop high-tech weapons capability.

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“Here, the police will allege that this individual, in a regional centre, acted with intent to provide Isil with the capability, with the technical capability, and high-tech capability, to detect and develop missiles.”

He reiterated that “the support and the cooperation of Australian Muslim communities – the vast majority of whom are law-abiding, patriotic Australians – is absolutely vital in our common struggle against extremism and terrorism.”

The AFP commissioner, Andrew Colvin, said the arrest was made as part of an 18-month investigation.

He said the man was allegedly involved in “researching and designing laser warning devices to help warn against incoming guiding munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq” and helping Isis develop its own long-range guided missile capabilities.

Colvin said Zahab had technical training as an electrician and the research he was alleged to have been doing was “credible”.

“In terms of the advice he was providing, we will allege it was fairly sophisticated and well-planned.”

Colvin said it would be alleged the man had networks and contacts with Isis, but not necessarily in conflict zones. It would be alleged the man had acted alone.