Abbott denounces 'barbaric' image of child holding head
11 AUG 2014 - 12:34PM



Boy believed to be Australian Khaled Sharrouf's son holds the decapitated head of a soldier.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has denounced a "barbaric" and "hideous" image of a young boy, believed to be Australian, holding up the decapitated head of a slain Syrian soldier.

The boy, wearing a cap, checked pants and a blue shirt, struggles with both arms to hold up the head in the picture reportedly posted on the Twitter account of a Sydney man who is now an Islamic State fighter.

The shocking photo, taken in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, is believed to be that of Khaled Sharrouf's son; posted with the words, "Thats my boy!"

Mr Abbott said the picture was further evidence of the barbarism of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as ISIL or ISIS.

"I believe there are more photographs in newspapers in Australia today of the kind of hideous atrocities that this group is capable of," he told ABC radio on Monday.

Defence Minister David Johnston said he was disgusted by the picture.

"I'm obviously revolted," he told ABC radio.

Senator Johnston said it underscored the importance of the government's proposed counter-terrorism laws.

However, he stressed it should not be taken out of context and condemned the picture as a "shocking misrepresentation" of Islam and Muslims.

"I'm very upset about this sort of thing completely colouring our view of Muslims," Senator Johnston said.

"The vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving and peaceful people."

The picture is one of several photos posted by Sharrouf, who security agencies believe travelled to Syria with his family. One shows Sharrouf also holding the decapitated head.

Another photo shows Sharrouf dressed in camouflage fatigues and posing with his three young sons who are holding guns, the flag of the Islamic State behind them.

They appear to be aged around four, six and seven, News Corps Australia reports.

Sharrouf, a convicted terrorist, is wanted by Australian Federal Police over crimes in Syria and Iraq, which include the shooting execution of a captured Iraqi official in the desert outside the Iraqi city of Mosul.

Now let's see the libs and alp start blowing each other to usher in a new era of authoritarianism and draconian citizen monitoring laws.

Yeah we should probably just let these guys return to Australia if they wish

If they're Australian citizens, then yes.

And they should be arrested at the airport, tried and locked up like any other criminal.

If they're Australian citizens, then yes.

And they should be arrested at the airport, tried and locked up like any other criminal.

Your point letting them in is valid if they were not a threat to our society but as the graphics show NO they shouldnt be allowed entry into our country ! Leave them out there where they wished to behave as animals !

You can't commence legal proceedings against them for events which happened in a country well outside Australian jurisdiction.

They should have their passports revoked on the grounds of moral turpitude.

I'd rather extradition to an Iraqi court, should Iraq seek it and the death penalty be ruled out, which as I understand is usual in extradition agreements.

I'd certainly expect the Australian government to want to extradite and try an Iraqi citizen who'd murdered an Australian soldier in Australia.

Edited by paladisious: 11/8/2014 06:38:05 PM

There's no precedent for revoking citizenship.


There is precedent for Australia trying Australians for events which happened in a country outside Australian jurisdiction through Polyukhovich v Commonwealth.

So, you're wrong.

If they're Australian citizens, then yes.

And they should be arrested at the airport, tried and locked up like any other criminal.

Its almost like you want them to come back.

However, he stressed it should not be taken out of context and condemned the picture as a "shocking misrepresentation" of Islam and Muslims.

So the guy who got his son to hold up the head while fighting for the "Islamic State" isn't Muslim/Islamic?

I think you've misunderstood that sentence entirely. A misrepresentation, not a mislabelling.

How is it a misrepresentation? Either he's fighting for Islam, or he's not. If he is, then he is a representative of Islam no matter if apologists like it or not.

How is it a misrepresentation? Either he's fighting for Islam, or he's not. If he is, then he is a representative of Islam no matter if apologists like it or not.

So the guy who got his son to hold up the head while fighting for the "Islamic State" isn't Muslim/Islamic?

It's similar to how kid fucking is a misrepresentation of Catholics.

how dumb is this guy :lol:

and he supports WSW too :lol: