The Australian government is facing criticism following the pending release of Isaac El Matari, a self-declared Australian Islamic State (ISIS) commander with alleged links to Bondi gunman Naveed Akram. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has secured an interim control order (ICO) in the Federal Court to monitor El Matari after his release, but some experts and political figures say the government has not acted swiftly enough to prevent him from regaining freedom.
El Matari is scheduled to be released from Macquarie Correctional Centre, located about 50 kilometers southeast of Dubbo, this coming Sunday. He was sentenced in October 2021 to seven years in prison, with a non-parole period of five-and-a-half years. At sentencing, El Matari, then aged 22, pleaded guilty to preparing for a terrorist act and attempting to enter Afghanistan to engage in hostile activity. He was initially arrested in July 2019 after publicly declaring himself the ISIS commander in Australia.
An interim submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, lodged earlier this year, identified El Matari as the “most dangerous member” of an alleged radicalization network linked to radical Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad. The network reportedly includes individuals associated with the same Street Dawah group as Naveed Akram. However, Haddad has denied any prior knowledge of the Bondi attack or any association with Akram.
Former AFP detective superintendent David Craig criticized the Department of Home Affairs for delays in pursuing a continuing detention order (CDO) to prevent El Matari’s release. Craig described the department as “sitting on its hands,” warning that the ICO would require significant public resources and pose ongoing risks to public safety. He suggested the report to the royal commission should have prompted an immediate and thorough review of El Matari’s threat level.
The Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on case specifics while the ICO application was before the court. Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor condemned the Albanese government for what he called a failure to protect Australians. Taylor said the government had not done enough to keep El Matari, a convicted terrorist and known associate of a Bondi gunman, behind bars.
El Matari’s release and the associated legal measures highlight ongoing challenges in balancing national security concerns, due process, and civil liberties. Authorities will continue to monitor him under the conditions set by the interim control order, which allows surveillance and restrictions for up to one year.