Sydney man remanded over 'thought crimes'

A Sydney man who allegedly breached an anti-terror control order has been refused bail over what his barrister has labelled "thought crimes".

Ahmad Saiyer Naizmand, 21, is behind bars accused of watching Islamic State propaganda videos earlier this year in contravention of strict court orders.

The orders imposed last year also banned him from associating with 18 alleged extremists, including a 12-year-old boy and others accused of terror offences in connection with the murder of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng last October, and prevented him from possessing guns or chemicals.

Naizmand was arrested by counter-terrorism officers at his home last week and charged with breaching the control order on five occasions in January and February.

At a bail application in Burwood Local Court on Monday, barrister Ertunc Ozen told Magistrate Jacqueline Trad that Naizmand had been on the brink of extremism when he first came to the attention of the Australian Federal Police, but he had since undergone extensive counselling.

"What we have is a young man who clearly was on cusp of radicalisation, over a period of months, working with officers of the AFP," Mr Ozen said.

"Although he exhibited quite a bit of resistance (at first), ultimately, your honour, he has come around."

Mr Ozen said Naizmand was willing to stay off YouTube if released on bail.

He also said his client's alleged crimes had not put community safety at risk.

"These are thought crimes - questions of ideology, and debate," he said.

"Really the question is, is Mr Naizmand - so far as the community interest is concerned - better off in custody or is he better off receiving the sort of counselling by an appropriately trained Muslim cleric that was approved by the federal police?"

But prosecutors allege the videos included "graphic material" and a "call to arms".

"These videos might be described as ISIS propaganda and recruitment videos," the Commonwealth DPP lawyer, who did not wish to be named, told the court.

"This is more than someone who was on the cusp of radicalisation.

"This is someone that is highly aware that there is surveillance in place (and yet these charges) represent five deliberate breaches of that control order."

The magistrate said Naizmand's alleged crimes could be broadly categorised as terrorism offences and she could not find any exceptional circumstances to grant bail.

Naizmand, who appeared in the courtroom via video link, seemed to grin as Ms Trad handed down her decision.

His case is expected to return to court in April.