The Australian Immigration and Border Protection Department has confirmed that it has detained Sirul Azhar Umar, who was on the Interpol watch list.

And a news report also surfaced of how the former police commando had travelled more than 4,000km after arriving in Perth.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald did not disclose when he arrived in the country.

In an email to Malaysiakini this morning, the Australian Immigration Department said it had detained "an unlawful non-citizen yesterday in Brisbane".

However, the department refused to divulge more information on the status of  Sirul (right).

"The department is aware of the Malaysian authorities' interest in the individual, however due to privacy reasons, we cannot comment further," it stated.

Meanwhile, Australia’s ABC news reported that the 43-year-old ex-police commando was being held in an immigration detention facility in Brisbane.

Sirul, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, together with another ex-police elite force personnel Azilah Hadri last week, has reportedly been overseas for several months.

The law in Australia dictates that a person facing the death penalty in his or her home country cannot be extradited.

Sirul and Azilah (left) have both been free since Aug 23, 2013, after the Court of Appeal overturned their murder conviction by the Shah Alam High Court.

However, the Federal Court upheld the conviction.

Siru's lawyer has said that they would challenge any attempt to extradite Sirul.

Contacted later, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar also confirmed the arrest of Sirul in Australia.

Khalid said the police would discuss with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail on the next course of action.


Next: Court process on Sirul's extradition

Lawyer awaits AG’s action on extradition

Altantuya’s can of worms opened long ago