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| Down Under |
| Thomas was asked to act as al-Qaeda sleeper |
| 2005-02-10 |
| The Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard a 31-year-old Victorian man facing terrorism charges was approached by an Al Qaeda member on behalf of Osama Bin Laden to act as a sleeper in Australia. Lawyers for Joseph "Jack" Thomas have today made a third application for his release on bail. Thomas is charged with three offences including receiving money from, and providing support to Al Qaeda when he was living in Pakistan in 2002 and 2003. He was arrested last November and is being held in Victoria's Barwon prison. The court heard that Thomas was trained at a camp in Pakistan, where he met Osama Bin Laden on more than one occasion, and continued to associate with people linked to Al Qaeda after the September 11 attacks. It is alleged Thomas was approached by an Al Qaeda member on behalf of Osama Bin Laden, who asked him to act as a sleeper cell in Australia. Ian Thomas also told the court that his son expressed horror and dismay over the September 11 attacks during a phone call within days of the strikes. His father also told the court his son's spirits are low and he desperately misses his family. Chief Magistrate Ian Gray is now considering the bail application. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |