Al-Murabitun has been listed as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (the Criminal Code). This is the first time that al-Murabitun has been listed in Australia.
Al-Murabitun is a Sunni Islamic group based in Northern Mali and is responsible for the 2013 siege of a gas processing facility at In-Amenas, Algeria, which resulted in 40 deaths.
It is now an offence to direct the activities of, be a member of, recruit for, train for and receive training from al-Murabitun. It is also an offence to get funds to, from or for, provide support to and associate with members of al-Murabitun.
Persons involved in these types of activities may be subject to significant penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment under the Criminal Code.
Listing al-Murabitun is consistent with similar action taken against this terrorist organisation by our international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the United Nations Security Council.
An organisation is listed as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code when the Attorney-General is satisfied the organisation is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act or advocates the doing of a terrorist act, whether or not a terrorist act has occurred or will occur.
The listing of al-Murabitun is valid for three years, after which the organisation may be re-listed under the Criminal Code.
