Vic: Civil libertarian slams Thomas control order

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2006
Vic: Civil libertarian slams Thomas control order

MELBOURNE, Aug 29 AAP - Civil liberty campaigners fear an interim control order placed
on accused terrorist Jack Thomas could disadvantage him in any future trial.

An interim order was yesterday issued against Mr Thomas, on holiday in eastern Victoria,
limiting his movements.

It was the first time the federal attorney-general had sought an interim control order
under the new terrorism laws after the Victorian Court of Appeal had quashed convictions
against Thomas.

Speaking today on ABC radio, Liberty Victoria president Brian Walters SC, raised the
possibility the control order would work against Mr Thomas in any future trial.

Federal police are seeking a retrial based on an interview he gave to the ABC's Four
Corners program.

"If he is to get into the witness box before the magistrate and answer this fresh set
of allegations, that evidence he gives will be admissible against him on any subsequent
trial," Mr Walters said.

"One wonders whether the real purpose of this proceeding isn't to place him in an impossible
tactical situation in relation to the proposed further trial."

Mr Walters said the federal police deserved strong criticism for their treatment of Mr Thomas.

"It's clear that he was subject to emotional manipulation by Australian authorities,
the court so found," he said.

"I think the real fear is not from somebody who suffered psychiatric harm in the way
Jack Thomas has as a result of his treatment.

"The real fear is the danger that the authorities will abuse that power for improper
purposes and destroy our civil liberties in the process.

"This use of the new control orders in this way is an example of just how dangerous they can be."

Mr Thomas was convicted in February on charges of receiving funds from al-Qaeda and
holding a false passport. But the Victorian Court of Appeal earlier this month quashed
the convictions against the Muslim convert and overturned a five-year jail sentence imposed
on him.

AAP mi/dk/gfr/ks/bwl

KEYWORD: THOMAS LIBERTY

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