Clarissa Ward from CBS spoke to Abu Ibrahim who was trafficked to Syria to join a jihad. This clip is a snippet from the interview. Courtesy: CBC News

AUSTRALIANS aren’t convinced that a member of Islamic State should be allowed to return so he can help de-radicalise young people.

The Australian reports that the federal government has been approached by legal representatives for three men currently in Syria, seeking information about penalties they may face upon their return to Australia.

Should they be allowed to return? Take our poll below

Two of the men are affiliated with Islamic State and one is associated with the group Jabhat al-Nusra.

One of the men, who worked in the health sector in Victoria, had previously told CBS reporter Clarissa Ward that the reality of life with the Islamic State was not what he had anticipated.

“A lot of people when they come they have a lot of enthusiasm about what they’ve seen online, what they’ve seen on YouTube,” the man, known as Abu Ibrahim, told CBS.

“They see it as something a lot grander than what the reality is — it’s not all military parades or victories.”

The Australian reports that Ibrahim has told Australian authorities he wants to come back so he can tell would-be jihadists why they should not join Islamic State.

Disillusioned with Islamic State, Ibrahim is currently in Turkey and wants to return to his wife and young children in Australia.

“My main reason for leaving was that I felt that I wasn’t doing what I had initially come for and that’s to help in a humanitarian sense the people of Syria,” he said.

“It had become something else. So, therefore, no longer justified me being away from my family.”

Ibrahim’s lawyer, Rob Stary, said his client realised he had made a mistake.

“If the Australian government is going to embrace de-radicalis­ation, it has to embrace it at all levels,” Mr Stary told The Australian.

“This includes those who know they may be charged for what they have done but who now want to renounce these groups and be co-operative.”

But many readers have pointed out that the Ibrahim could help “de-radicalise” potential jihadists using a computer in the Middle East.

Rachel Nikcevich said: “Why don’t they send recorded messages just as the extremists do ...”

Marianne Macumber said: “Let him give his message via controlled network prerecorded ... don't let them back in ...”

Andrew Jensen said: “Let him tell his mates via social media and cancel his passport. That is what the majority of Australians want ...”

Thousands of readers have also taken part in a poll, with the majority saying the three men shouldn’t be allowed to return to Australia.

The Australian reports that the overtures from the jihadis’ representatives pose a dilemma for security authorities. The approaches were made separately — one to the Australian embassy in Turkey, one to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and one to the Australian Federal Police.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday that “there is no place in our society for people who have been radicalised and brutalised by participation in these terrorist movements”.

Mr Stary told 3AW radio today that discussions needed to “be advanced”.

“He’s the sort of vehicle that you want to use if he’s capable of reclamation then we should utilise him and at least engage in the discussion,” he said.

“But the shutters have been put up by the AFP and we heard the PM say last night that there will be no negotiations with foreign fighters (which is) contrary as to what’s happening in Germany and other European countries who do engage when they return.”

Speaking on Sunrise this morning, politician Pauline Hanson said the government should “shut the door”, saying she spoke for “thousands, if not millions” of other Australians on the issue.

“It will cost $100,000 a year to keep in Australian prisons, and they could radicalise others,” she said.

Broadcaster Derryn Hinch argued that the three men should be allowed to return to face Australian courts and be convicted if found guilty.

“They’d probably say anything to get out,” he said.

Read the full story in The Australian.