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Jamie Williams, a 28-year-old man from the suburb area of Epping in Melbourne, Australia, was taken to court today, July 28, after an investigation conducted by the Melbourne Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) yields supporting evidence to charge him with plans of taking up arms against the Islamic State organisation. The investigation was conducted after the man was found attempting to leave the country for Northern Iraq while carrying military clothing and equipment in his luggage.

Herald Sun reports that Williams could be sentenced to life imprisonment if found guilty with the intent to join the Kurdish aligned forces in Iraq in their fight against the Islamic State. In the press statement released by the Australian Federal Police, the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court charged Williams with “one count of preparations for incursions into foreign countries for purpose of engaging in hostile activities, contrary to section 119.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).”

The defendant was supported by his wife and mother during the court proceedings. Williams was represented by his lawyer, Robert Stary. His arrest was carried out in the evening of Monday, July 27.

The Melbourne Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), comprising of members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police, conducted an investigation on Williams’ case after he was barred from leaving Australia for Northern Iraq on Dec. 28, 2014. Members of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Counter Terrorism Unit had suspected that his intention for leaving the country was to involve himself in the war happening in Northern Iraq.

In a statement, Neil Gaughan, AFP National Manager Counter Terrorism, Assistant Commissioner, warned that individuals planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to support the conflict could face illegal issues, not to mention extreme danger. Gaughan also asserts that the Australian Federal Police and its supporting agencies will always push for further investigation if accused and will not hesitate to prosecute when found guilty.

“There have been numerous warnings against participating in the current conflict in Syria and Iraq, and while this individual did not actually travel, people need to be aware that actively planning and undertaking preparations to travel to the conflict area still constitutes a criminal offence,” Gaughan said.

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