A Sydney man accused of preparing to go to Syria to fight for Islamic State has told a jury he'd earlier considered moving there to see what life would be like under the terrorist group. Moudasser Taleb has pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court to preparing to travel to Syria for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities between early February and mid-June 2017. The 24-year-old was arrested at Sydney Airport on June 15, 2017, with a bag containing military clothing, a sleeping bag, a solar charger and other gear, following an undercover police operation. During cross-examination on Friday, Taleb admitted he first thought about travelling to Syria almost two years before his communication with an undercover officer began. He said he used Google Maps to locate entry points into Islamic State-controlled parts of the country but dismissed the prosecutor's suggestion he wanted to fight for the terrorist group. "No, I just wanted to migrate to see what it was like to live over there, to live under sharia law," he said. "I had contemplated on going but I didn't make any preparations at that time." Taleb - whose sole occupation was as a carer for his mother - said he had to stay in Australia to look after her and be with his then-wife, describing the idea of migrating as a "thought - nothing more, nothing less". He said he went along with the undercover operation because he wanted to expose what he believed to be an electronic chip implanted in his brain, allowing "ordinary people and authorities" to hear his thoughts. Taleb believed being stopped at the airport would prove his thoughts were being monitored. "They were either going to let me through or they were going to arrest me and if they did arrest me, which was the most likely case, I would be able to expose what was happening to me," he said. Taleb said his purchase of gear and a $300 overseas transfer had been encouraged by the undercover agent. "I was just acting on the instruction of the UCA - that's why I have done all of it," he said. Prosecutor Sam Duggan said Taleb only came up with the chip after he was arrested. He said: "That explanation is complete rubbish." "That's your opinion," Taleb replied. Prison Muslim chaplain Ahmed Kilani also testified for the defence, describing Taleb as "pretty composed" and unlike other radicalised prisoners. "He seems to have a very basic understanding of the religion," he said. The trial continues before Justice Peter Hamill. Australian Associated Press
Moudasser Taleb says he thought about visiting Syria to see what life was like in that country.
A Sydney man accused of preparing to go to Syria to fight for Islamic State has told a jury he'd earlier considered moving there to see what life would be like under the terrorist group.
Moudasser Taleb has pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court to preparing to travel to Syria for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities between early February and mid-June 2017.
The 24-year-old was arrested at Sydney Airport on June 15, 2017, with a bag containing military clothing, a sleeping bag, a solar charger and other gear, following an undercover police operation.
During cross-examination on Friday, Taleb admitted he first thought about travelling to Syria almost two years before his communication with an undercover officer began.
He said he used Google Maps to locate entry points into Islamic State-controlled parts of the country but dismissed the prosecutor's suggestion he wanted to fight for the terrorist group.
"No, I just wanted to migrate to see what it was like to live over there, to live under sharia law," he said.
"I had contemplated on going but I didn't make any preparations at that time."
Taleb - whose sole occupation was as a carer for his mother - said he had to stay in Australia to look after her and be with his then-wife, describing the idea of migrating as a "thought - nothing more, nothing less".
He said he went along with the undercover operation because he wanted to expose what he believed to be an electronic chip implanted in his brain, allowing "ordinary people and authorities" to hear his thoughts.
Taleb believed being stopped at the airport would prove his thoughts were being monitored.
"They were either going to let me through or they were going to arrest me and if they did arrest me, which was the most likely case, I would be able to expose what was happening to me," he said.
Taleb said his purchase of gear and a $300 overseas transfer had been encouraged by the undercover agent.
"I was just acting on the instruction of the UCA - that's why I have done all of it," he said.
Prosecutor Sam Duggan said Taleb only came up with the chip after he was arrested.
He said: "That explanation is complete rubbish."
"That's your opinion," Taleb replied.
Prison Muslim chaplain Ahmed Kilani also testified for the defence, describing Taleb as "pretty composed" and unlike other radicalised prisoners.
"He seems to have a very basic understanding of the religion," he said.
