Sydney men charged with funding travel of Australians to fight with Islamic State

Two Sydney men, including one already facing trial for allegedly preparing to commit a terrorist attack, have been accused of financing the travel of Australians to the Middle East to fight with the militant group Islamic State (Isis).

A 25-year-old from Beecroft in Sydney’s north-west was arrested on Monday morning “as the result of an assessment of information” obtained by police during sweeping counter-terrorism raids in September, the Australian federal police said in a statement.

Omarjan Azari, 22, who was charged with preparing a terrorist act following the largest police raids in Australian history in September, was also charged with terrorism funding offences.

Police will allege the two men made $15,000 available to Isis in August this year, and that they were "key facilitators in the movement of funds" that paid for Australians to travel to Iraq and Syria to fight with the group.

Around 60 Australians are believed to be fighting in the region with Isis and other groups, including Sydney teenager Taha ElBaf and his three older brothers, who are believed to have slipped into Syria in November.

Police have said there is no evidence the arrests were linked to the siege of a cafe in Martin Place on Monday.

The Beecroft man appeared via video link in Sydney central local court on Monday afternoon. Azari will next appear in Sydney central local court on Friday. Guardian Service