|
Different rules for Muslim leaders in Sydney
Muslim leaderâs arrest ordeal put to restBy Linda MorrisAugust 5 2003 Seven months after Sydneyâs most high profile Muslim leader was handcuffed and arrested in a roadside fracas over a minor traffic infringement, three outstanding charges were withdrawn against him yesterday. on the TV news it has been reported as âall charges dropped, Sheikh Hilaly vindicatedâ and suchlike. Police are dropping charges on a technicality: Police need âreasonable suspiciounâ to search a vehicle. The info on the computer that Sheikh Hilaly might have a gun in the car was 4 years old and out of date. Arresting officer did not know this and searched the car. Hence all charges now thrown out: despite that the other charges had nothing to do with the search, and everything to do with the way the conflict was escalated by SHeikh Hilaly and the attending muslim brothers. Sheik Hilaly, 62, was originally stopped by highway patrol police on a street in Wiley Park in January for having a piece of metal protruding from the driverâs side of his vehicle. The confrontation escalated, the search was made, and Sheik Hilaly was arrested, handcuffed and issued by summons for charges relating to assaulting police, hindering police and resisting arrest. Superintendent Richardson said the incident was regrettable but denied it had harmed the good relations between police and the Islamic community,especially now theyâve dropped all charges and gave the police officer his full backing. Sheik Hilaly was issued with a traffic infringement notice, carrying a $400 fine, for driving an unregistered vehicle and has been issued a caution for driving with a dangerous load. Sheik Hilaly, who accused police at the time of "Rambo" tactics, issued a one-line statement through his spokesman, Keysar Trad, saying he was glad the matter was finally put to rest.PR lessons have been learned. Nicely timed simultaneous media release regarding how he is also requesting Ruddock ban fundamentalist preachers. He is really making sure the public love him and think he is the moderate. Keysar Trad is a professional PR man now The Minister for Police, John Watkins, yesterday denied that the dropping of the charges or the timing of the announcement was in any way politically motivated. no, we often drop charges just for the hell of it. Opposition police spokesman Peter Debnam said the decision to withdraw the charges against the senior imam was "very embarrassing" for police and the Government and asked why it had taken so long to conclude their case was weak. off on a technicality, doesnât look weak to me, looks like Hilaly did escalate things as per the charges but politics and lawyers have obstructed justice! PS: has ANYBODY heard of Khalid Yasin? He is a preacher soon to tour Australia, and I want to know about his background Posted by: Anon1 2003-08-04 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=17280 |