Immigration Minister Peter Dutton revealed on Friday that around 200 people have been stopped from boarding flights since July. The figures issued by the airport-based counter-terrorism unit, however, did not depict how many times these jettisoning acts have been done due to confirmed security reasons or prosecutions.

“Maintaining strong security at our borders is critically important in stopping those with evil intent or impressionable young people who have fallen prey to terrorist propaganda from leaving Australia to join murderous terror groups like Islamic State,” Dutton said. “Equally it is our frontline in stopping those who would seek to enter Australia to do us harm.”

Up to June 2015, a total number of 336 passengers have been intercepted by the Australian Border Force in a year. According to the immigration minister, these passengers who were stopped from boarding the flights due to security concerns were later allowed to carry on with their journey. From July to October, 199 people have been intercepted over concerns that they could be travelling to Syria to join the ongoing war there. The number for the four-month program is two-thirds of the total number of 336 passengers offloaded during the 2014-15 financial year, suggesting a significant increase in the number of offloads in the recent months.

He said that some of the passengers who have been intercepted have been referred to the Australian Federal Police, ASIO and other agencies and some prosecutions are expected to be initiated as well. He added that surveillance activity would also be undertaken.

Dutton said that the people intercepted in their journey could pose a threat to Australia if they decide to implement their terrorist activities domestically, but he assured that the government is doing its best to keep the country safe.

There was even a minor amongst the people who have been prevented to board flights in the recent months. After searching his bags and questioning, he was referred to other agencies for further investigation, Dutton said.

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