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Melbourne: 13 Islamic terrorist suspects could get bail - most 'Lebanese-Australians'
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21455719-29277,00.html?from=public_rss
13 terror accused could get bail
By Mariza O'Keefe
March 27, 2007 02:52pm
Melbourne - Australia
A JUDGE says 13 Melbourne men on terrorism charges may be eligible for bail if their conditions don't improve.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Bernard Bongiorno gave the caution after being told several of the men became ill after they were transported from court in a vehicle without airconditioning or water in temperatures over 30C.
Greg Barns, lawyer for accused man Ezzit Raad, told the court the incident occurred at the end of a hearing about their conditions in custody last Thursday.
Justice Bongiorno said allegations over the men's treatment by prison officers were concerning.
"If these situations have occurred (and) are likely to occur again, exceptional circumstances necessary for granting of bail would be looming on the horizon," Justice Bongiorno said.
The 13 men, who have all been committed to stand trial on charges including being a member of a terrorist organisation, were not in court today.
The defendants last week applied for a stay on their case, arguing they were at risk of not receiving a fair trial and that they were being treated like hardcore criminals.
Concerns raised at last week's hearing include that the men were locked in their cells for 18 hours a day, were being denied quality time with their families and were forbidden from praying together.
The application was adjourned after lawyers for both sides agreed to review the conditions of the defendants.
The trial for the 13 men is due to be held in July.
:tongue:
Good excuse to get bail
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21455719-29277,00.html?from=public_rss
13 terror accused could get bail
By Mariza O'Keefe
March 27, 2007 02:52pm
Melbourne - Australia
A JUDGE says 13 Melbourne men on terrorism charges may be eligible for bail if their conditions don't improve.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Bernard Bongiorno gave the caution after being told several of the men became ill after they were transported from court in a vehicle without airconditioning or water in temperatures over 30C.
Greg Barns, lawyer for accused man Ezzit Raad, told the court the incident occurred at the end of a hearing about their conditions in custody last Thursday.
Justice Bongiorno said allegations over the men's treatment by prison officers were concerning.
"If these situations have occurred (and) are likely to occur again, exceptional circumstances necessary for granting of bail would be looming on the horizon," Justice Bongiorno said.
The 13 men, who have all been committed to stand trial on charges including being a member of a terrorist organisation, were not in court today.
The defendants last week applied for a stay on their case, arguing they were at risk of not receiving a fair trial and that they were being treated like hardcore criminals.
Concerns raised at last week's hearing include that the men were locked in their cells for 18 hours a day, were being denied quality time with their families and were forbidden from praying together.
The application was adjourned after lawyers for both sides agreed to review the conditions of the defendants.
The trial for the 13 men is due to be held in July.
:tongue:
Good excuse to get bail