Episode description

A terrorism charge has been laid against a New Zealander who allegedly travelled overseas to join Islamic State a decade ago. 

Mark John Taylor, also known as Mohammed Daniel, was charged under the Terrorism Suppression Act this morning. 

 Charging documents filed in the Wellington District Court state he’s being accused of participating in a group in Syria, namely the Islamic State and the Levant (ISIL) between 29 November 2014 and 24 December 2018. 

It said he’s believed to have joined the groups “for the purpose of enhancing the ability of ISIL to carry out or participate in one or more terrorist acts intended to cause the death or injury to one or more persons, in one or more countries.  

It said it was for the purpose of advancing an ideological, political or religious cause with the intention of inducing terror in a civilian population, knowing or being reckless whether ISIL is a designated terrorist identify.” 

He faces a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. 

For some more insight into this case, we’re joined now on The Front Page by Massey University Emeritus Professor Paul Spoonley.  

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