Current:Home > NewsAustralia to release convicted terrorist from prison under strict conditions -EliteFunds
Australia to release convicted terrorist from prison under strict conditions
View
Date:2025-04-19 21:03:58
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A convicted terrorist whom Australia had wanted to strip of his citizenship and deport will be released into the community on Tuesday under strict conditions.
Algerian-born Muslim cleric Abdul Benbrika will be released from prison on a supervision order for 12 months following a ruling by Victoria state Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth. Police had argued for the order to last for three years.
Benbrika must wear an electronic ankle bracelet to track his movements and abide by a nightly curfew.
The 63-year-old was convicted in 2008 of three terrorism charges related to a plot to cause mass casualties at a public event in Melbourne. No attack took place.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and would have been released in 2020. But his sentence was extended by three years under a recent law that allowed the continued detention of prisoners convicted of terrorism offenses if a judge ruled they posed an unacceptable risk to the community if released.
In 2021, Benbrika lost a High Court challenge to his continued detention in a 5-2 split decision. But he won a High Court challenge in October to a law that enabled a government minister to strip him of his Australian citizenship in 2020 over his terrorism convictions.
A majority of judges found the law was unconstitutional because the minister was effectively exercising a judicial function of punishing criminal guilt.
With Benbrika’s Australian citizenship restored, Australia lost the option of deporting him when he was released from prison.
The government rushed laws through Parliament last week that allow a minister to apply for a judge to cancel a convicted terrorist’s citizenship at the time of sentencing. But the new laws do not apply to Benbrika.
Benbrika watched Tuesday’s court hearing via a video link from prison.
Hollingworth ruled that a supervision order was necessary because Benbrika continued to pose an unacceptable risk to the community.
Benbrika will be blocked from discussing extremists activities publicly but can do so in the course of his deradicalization program. He will need permission from police to start a job or perform volunteer work and cannot visit numerous public places.
Police have powers to monitor his electronic communications and he will not be allowed contact with people in prison or with criminal convictions for a list of offenses.
veryGood! (4433)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- 1 dead, 13 injured after man crashes truck into Texas Department of Public Safety building
- How Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Took Their Super-Public Love Off the Radar
- Search continues in Maine as officer is charged with lying about taking missing person to hospital
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- 2024 Masters tee times for final round Sunday: When does Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods tee off?
- Arizona Coyotes players told team is relocating to Salt Lake City, reports say
- Evacuation notice lifted in Utah town downstream from cracked dam
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- House approves bill renewing FISA spy program after GOP upheaval threatened passage
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Fracking-Induced Earthquakes Are Menacing Argentina as Regulators Stand By
- Urgent care worker accused of sexual assaults while claiming falsely to be a nurse in Philly suburbs
- Coachella 2024: See Kendall Jenner, Emma Roberts and More Celebrities at the Desert Music Festival
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Clint Eastwood Makes Rare Appearance to Support Jane Goodall
- FDA chairman wants Congress to mandate testing for lead, other harmful chemicals in food
- O.J. Simpson died from prostate cancer: Why many men don't talk about this disease
Recommendation
Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
Ohio State football's assistant coach salary pool reaches eight figures for first time
California man sentenced to 40 years to life for fatal freeway shooting of 6-year-old boy
Australian World War II bomber and crew's remains found amid saltwater crocodiles and low visibility in South Pacific
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Masters weekend has three-way tie and more forgiving conditions. It also has Tiger Woods
Texas’ diversity, equity and inclusion ban has led to more than 100 job cuts at state universities
Texas’ diversity, equity and inclusion ban has led to more than 100 job cuts at state universities