Australia warns children of foreign fighters risk charges

An Australian boy who was photographed holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier could reportedly return to Australia with his mother and siblings, prompting the prime minister to warn that children as well as adults who break terrorism laws face prosecution. Sydney-born convicted terrorist Khaled Sharrouf horrified the world last year by Tweeting a picture from Syria of his 7-year-old son clutching the severed head. When asked about the family, which is reportedly planning to return to Australia, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said if the children had committed a crime, they would be treated by the Australian courts the same way as other juvenile offenders.

But the point I want to stress is that criminals will be punished whether they’re young, whether they’re old, whether they’re male, whether they’re female, whether they’re criminals abroad or criminals at home.

Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister

Australia used controversial new counterterrorism laws in December to make even visiting the Islamic State’s stronghold of al-Raqqa province in Syria a criminal offense punishable by 10 years in prison. Australia has cancelled the passports of scores of suspected terrorists, preventing would-be jihadis from leaving the country and stranding foreign fighters overseas. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Wednesday that children of terrorists would be treated as a special case. The children could become wards of the state if their mother was imprisoned. Police have confirmed Khaled Sharrouf faces an arrest warrant in Australia on terrorism offenses.

One of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photographs ever displayed.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry describing the image

Khaled Sharrouf Asia-Pacific