Australia continues bid to return IS suspect from Turkey

Canberra, July 20

Australia will not give up its quest to prosecute an Australian Islamic State group suspect despite a Turkish court rejecting an extradition application, the Australian prime minister said on Friday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was disappointed that the Criminal Court in the southern city of Kilis on Thursday rejected Australia's request to extradite Australian citizen Neil Prakash.

"We'll be working closely with the Turkish authorities to see how we can ensure that he is brought back to face justice in Australian courts.," Turnbull told reporters.

"He remains in custody in Turkey and we will do everything we can to that ensure Neil Prakash is brought to account for his crimes," Turnbull added.

Turnbull described the 27-year-old alleged militant recruiter as a threat to Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

"Our goal is to ensure that Neil Prakash is not ever able to practice his evil trade of terrorism ever again," Turnbull said.

Turkish lawyer Mehmet Alper Unver said prosecutors, who argued for Prakash's extradition, had the right to appeal the verdict. Prakash could be freed from Turkish custody if the court ascertains that he is not under investigation for other crimes, Unver said. — AP