Australian trade unionist and Labour Party (ALP) member Matthew Gardiner has been detained on his return to the country on the grounds of visiting Rojava and sharing military experiences with the Kurdish fighters.

According to reports appeared in the Australian media, Gardiner was taken into custody after he returned to Darwin via Sweden and Singapore. The Australian federal police has also confirmed that Gardiner was questioned, but added that no official charges have been laid. Police said: “the investigation into his activities abroad continues”, adding that further comments would not be appropriate.

Trade unionist and politician Matthew Gardiner left his country at the beginning of the year to support the Kurdish fighters in South Kurdistan and Rojava. Gardiner had worked as an engineer in 1990 in Somalia in an Australian unit and wanted to share his experiences with the Kurdish fighters.

Australia is a member of the international coalition against ISIS. But according to Australian laws it is considered a crime to take part in military activities abroad outside of the conditions determined by the Australian army.