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Accused terrorist's views 'not a crime'
Daniel Fogarty
July 11, 2008 12:00am
AN alleged terrorist should not be regarded as guilty because of his views about the war in Iraq, a Melbourne court has heard.
Delivering his closing address in the trial of 12 terrorism suspects, defence lawyer Trevor Wraight said expressing views that were not in support of America's military action in Iraq did not make his client, Aimen Joud, a terrorist.
"There is nothing criminal about having some of the views that might be espoused by Aimen Joud throughout the listening devices," he said.
"There is nothing criminal about supporting people you identify with who have been killed or caught in a war."
Mr Joud, 23, of Hoppers Crossing, in Melbourne's outer west, has pleade
d not guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
He also denies possessing an item connected with preparation for a terrorist act.
The case against him is based on material from listening devices installed at his home and a compact disc found at his house.
Mr Wraight said it was not illegal for Mr Joud to have in his possession a CD containing war videos and Islamic information lectures.
"These are live footage of real things that are happening in the world today, or pictures of innocent Muslim people who have been caught up in that war," said Mr Wraight.
"Even if you don't agree with the opinions they hold or documents they look at, they are free to hold them -- and you and I are free to disagree with those opinions."
In an effort to highlight the innocence of the CD, Mr Wraight played another item on the CD to the jury -- a trailer for the movie The Omega Code.
He also warned jurors
not to use against his client evidence that had been given against other defendants.
The alleged group leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, and 10 other alleged members have also pleaded not guilty to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
The closing arguments for the defence in the trial before Justice Bernard Bongiorno are due to continue today.
Accused terrorist's views 'not a crime'
Daniel Fogarty
July 11, 2008 12:00am
AN alleged terrorist should not be regarded as guilty because of his views about the war in Iraq, a Melbourne court has heard.
Delivering his closing address in the trial of 12 terrorism suspects, defence lawyer Trevor Wraight said expressing views that were not in support of America's military action in Iraq did not make his client, Aimen Joud, a terrorist.
"There is nothing criminal about having some of the views that might be espoused by Aimen Joud throughout the listening devices," he said.
"There is nothing criminal about supporting people you identify with who have been killed or caught in a war."
Mr Joud, 23, of Hoppers Crossing, in Melbourne's outer west, has pleade
d not guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
He also denies possessing an item connected with preparation for a terrorist act.
The case against him is based on material from listening devices installed at his home and a compact disc found at his house.
Mr Wraight said it was not illegal for Mr Joud to have in his possession a CD containing war videos and Islamic information lectures.
"These are live footage of real things that are happening in the world today, or pictures of innocent Muslim people who have been caught up in that war," said Mr Wraight.
"Even if you don't agree with the opinions they hold or documents they look at, they are free to hold them -- and you and I are free to disagree with those opinions."
In an effort to highlight the innocence of the CD, Mr Wraight played another item on the CD to the jury -- a trailer for the movie The Omega Code.
He also warned jurors
not to use against his client evidence that had been given against other defendants.
The alleged group leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, and 10 other alleged members have also pleaded not guilty to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
The closing arguments for the defence in the trial before Justice Bernard Bongiorno are due to continue today.