RTR4XX9A
IN PHOTO: Islamic State militants lead what are said to be Ethiopian Christians along a beach in Wilayat Barqa, in this still image from an undated video made available on a social media website on April 19, 2015. The video purportedly made by Islamic State and posted on social media sites on Sunday appeared to show militants shooting and beheading about 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya. Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video but the killings resemble past violence carried out by Islamic State, an ultra-hardline group which has expanded its reach from strongholds in Iraq and Syria to conflict-ridden Libya. Libyan officials were not immediately available for comment. Ethiopia said it had not been able to verify whether the people shown in the video were its citizens. REUTERS/Social Media Website via Reuters TV

The family of an Australian Islamic State (IS) fighter would face the Australian law in full severity should they return home from the Middle East, said Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

As the news broke about an Islamic State fighter's wife and their five children are seeking to return to Australia, Mr. Abbott said there would be no leniency shown towards them, because in his words, "crime is crime is crime."

Fairfax Media revealed that the IS fighter Khaled Sharrouf's wife Tara Nettleton and their children’s intention to return to Australia.

Sharrouf's seven-year-old son was reportedly photographed last year holding a severed head.

Mr. Abbott said no returning fighter should be allowed to help the authorities on pretext of stopping others against going abroad. They should be allowed to do so only after being punished duly.

"I'm absolutely delighted when a criminal comes out of jail, reformed and rehabilitated, for that criminal or former criminal to go and spread a message of obeying the law to others," Mr. Abbott said.

"But I'm afraid you don't get off scot-free just because you say 'oh I've seen the error of my ways'.

Pumping Money Into Terrorism

Mr. Abbott's comments were a reaction to a United Nations report revealing how Sharrouf and his immediate family is supporting the Islamic State group. The report found that a money transfer business owned by his sister and brother-in-law had been funding terrorism outside the country.

Mr. Abbott clarified saying, Sharrouf's children won’t receive any special treatments upon their arrival. "The children of these particular criminals will be dealt with in the same way the children of criminals are normally dealt with," he confirmed.

Daddy's Little Girl

Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said authorities would handle each case individually after analysing all the important aspects.

Meanwhile, the IS fighter’s father-in-law Peter Nettleton told local media that he had not seen his daughter Tara for almost 10 years and had only met two of the five grandchildren. He added that he still loves his daughter and hopes see her return home safely.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: barsha23@gmail.com.

RELATED STORIES