Elias
08-31-2006, 04:49 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/08/31/1156817005419.html?from=top5
A magistrate has blasted the federal government for including terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden's name in a list of people that cannot be contacted by terror suspect Jack Thomas.
In the federal magistrates court in Canberra, magistrate Graham Mowbray accused the government of turning the proceedings into a farce by including Bin Laden's name on an extensive list of people who Mr Thomas is not permitted to contact.
Mr Mowbray imposed Australia's first interim control order last weekend, restricting Mr Thomas' travel, requiring him to report to police three days a week and banning him from leaving Australia without permission.
The government is now arguing in court to have the interim order extended.
Mr Thomas has been a free man since August 18 when the Victoria Court of Appeal quashed convictions for receiving funds from Al Qaeda and holding a false passport, and overturned a five year jail sentence.
At a directions hearing today in Canberra, Mr Mowbray criticised the government's move to include Bin Laden on the list
"In my view it makes the order look somewhat silly in putting the name on the list," he said.
"...it makes it look almost a bit farcical, and this is a very serious proceeding."
Mr Mowbray said he thought the government would have used "some degree of nous" in drawing up the list.
Mr Thomas' lawyer Lex Lasry, QC, said the names on the list also included 13 people who were either dead or currently in custody at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba.
He described the situation as "ridiculous".
It seems the Australian Liberal govt are anxious to make Jack Thomas into a sacrificial lamb to appease their new Security laws post 9/11
A magistrate has blasted the federal government for including terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden's name in a list of people that cannot be contacted by terror suspect Jack Thomas.
In the federal magistrates court in Canberra, magistrate Graham Mowbray accused the government of turning the proceedings into a farce by including Bin Laden's name on an extensive list of people who Mr Thomas is not permitted to contact.
Mr Mowbray imposed Australia's first interim control order last weekend, restricting Mr Thomas' travel, requiring him to report to police three days a week and banning him from leaving Australia without permission.
The government is now arguing in court to have the interim order extended.
Mr Thomas has been a free man since August 18 when the Victoria Court of Appeal quashed convictions for receiving funds from Al Qaeda and holding a false passport, and overturned a five year jail sentence.
At a directions hearing today in Canberra, Mr Mowbray criticised the government's move to include Bin Laden on the list
"In my view it makes the order look somewhat silly in putting the name on the list," he said.
"...it makes it look almost a bit farcical, and this is a very serious proceeding."
Mr Mowbray said he thought the government would have used "some degree of nous" in drawing up the list.
Mr Thomas' lawyer Lex Lasry, QC, said the names on the list also included 13 people who were either dead or currently in custody at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba.
He described the situation as "ridiculous".
It seems the Australian Liberal govt are anxious to make Jack Thomas into a sacrificial lamb to appease their new Security laws post 9/11