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August 9, 2006
Australia: Pakistani-Born Muslim Will Face Terror Charges
News from Associated Press via the Daily Times states that a Pakistani-born Australian, Izarhul Haq, has been told that his attempt to have terror charges against him dropped has failed.
He was appearing earlier today in the New South Wales state Court of Criminal Appeal, in Sydney. He is the first person to be charged with training with a terrorist organisation. He is accused of intentionally receiving combat and weapons training in Pakistan in 2003. The training was provided by Lasjkar-e-Taiba, (LeT), the group which is thought to have carried out the Mumbai train explosions of July 11.
LeT is a banned organization under Australia's counter-terrorism laws. Haq had argued that Australia had no jurisdiction over criminal acts committed in other countries.
Justice McClellan said in the judgment, which had been unanimously passed by three judges, that the argument that the Commonwealth Parliament had no jurisdiction overseas had been rejected. He stated that if there was any reconsideration, it should happen in the High Court.
Haq's trial will begin on September 1, though it is possible that he will appeal to the High Court and delay or attempt to prevent these proceedings.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at August 9, 2006 8:16 PM
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