An Australian fighting with the Taliban and captured by Morthern Alliance fighters has been handed over to the US military, the Australian government said today.
The Australian government said Mr David Hicks (26) trained with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and had been fighting with the Taliban against US-led forces, which include Australian troops. He was captured around December 9th.
Mr Hicks had been transferred early this morning to a US ship in the region. The Australian government was asking the US to allow Australian officials to interview Mr Hicks, the ministers said.
An American captured with Taliban forces, Mr John Walker, was flown to the US Navy ship USS Peleliuon Friday.
"We can assure Australians that if Mr Hicks has committed a crime against Australian law, the Australian government will do whatever is necessary to bring him to justice," the ministers said.
Mr Hicks left Australia in mid-1999 to join Muslims in the Kosovo Liberation Army fighting against Serbia in Yugoslavia. After converting to Islam, he flew to Pakistan in late 1999, where he trained with a militant group. He entered Afghanistan last year and trained with al-Qaeda, the government said.
Legal experts believe Mr Hicks could be charged under an Australian law aimed at discouraging soldiers of fortune. Under the Foreign Incursions law, Australian citizens face 14 years in prison for working as mercenaries.