Islamic State East Asia re-listed as terrorist group by Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton

Islamic State East Asia has been re-listed as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government as extremism rises in the Philippines. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton announced this morning the Government had made the call to re-list the group under the Criminal Code. “The Government reviews the listing of terrorist organisations to respond to changing circumstances and to ensure the effective prosecution of terrorists,” Mr Dutton said. Islamic State East Asia is an Islamic State affiliate that conducts terrorist attacks against military and civilian targets in the Philippines. In a statement Mr Dutton said the re-listing of the group ensured that all terrorist organisation offences continued to apply to this organisation. “Based on advice from our security agencies, I am satisfied this terrorist organisation continues to meet the criteria for listing under the Criminal Code,” Mr Dutton said. The Government currently lists 27 terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code. In August, 14 people were killed in the Philippines and 75 were wounded after attacks by Islamic extremists. According to the New York Times, many followers have been recruited to ISIS in the Philippines through online propaganda