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Australian police arrest man allegedly funding U.S. fighter in Syria

An unidentified 23-year-old man was arrested Tuesday by Australian police on suspicion of funding a U.S. fighter in Syria.

By JC Finley
Australian authorities arrested a 23-year-old suspect on September 30, 2014 who has been accused of funding a terror organization. (Flickr/Highway Patrol Images)
Australian authorities arrested a 23-year-old suspect on September 30, 2014 who has been accused of funding a terror organization. (Flickr/Highway Patrol Images)

MELBOURNE, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A joint operation by the Australian Federal Police and Melbourne Joint Counter Terrorism Team resulted in the arrest Tuesday of a 23-year-old man accused of funding a U.S. fighter in Syria.

An FBI tip prompted the investigation into the unnamed suspect who allegedly provided approximately $12,000 to a terror organization.

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"We are acutely aware that to participate in overseas fighting, funds are required," said Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan.

"In this case we will allege that the man was funding someone from the U.S. However who is being funded makes no difference... Providing funding is equally criminal as actually traveling to participate and we will use all our resources to cut off the supply of funds to terrorists."

The accused was expected to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The arrest comes a week after Melbourne counter-terrorism officers shot and killed 18-year-old Abdul Numan Haider after he stabbed several officers outside the Endeavour Hills police station. Police said Tuesday there was no connection between the two cases.

Australia raised its terror threat level from "medium" to "high" on September 11, suggesting a terrorism attack is likely.

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