Alleged Australian IS fighters transferred from Syria to Iraq where they could face death penalty

Iraqi security forces lead suspected Islamic State militants for questioning, after they were transferred from Syria to Iraq. Photograph: Hadi Mizban/AP

A group of Australian men suspected of being former Islamic State fighters are among more than 5,000 detainees transferred from Syria to Iraq, where they potentially face charges which could carry the death penalty.

Iraq’s national centre for international judicial cooperation confirmed last Friday it had taken custody of the 5,704 alleged former fighters from 61 countries, including citizens of Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US.