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Terror accused deserve better: judge
Thursday Mar 20 17:14 AEDT
The judge in Australia's largest terrorism trial has ordered sweeping changes be made in the conditions under which the 12 men standing trial are imprisoned.
The order follows concerns expressed by lawyers for the 12, who are on trial in the Supreme Court in Melbourne on charges including being members of a terrorist organisation, and that they planned to commit a terrorist act.
The court has been told the accused have been held in Victoria's highest security prison from more than two years while awaiting trial in conditions likely to lead to them suffering psychiatric problems.
Their trial began last month and is expected to continue until at least the end of the year.
Justice Bernard Bongiorno on Thursday ordered the accused men be given extra time out of their cells and that they should not be strip-searched when going to and from court.
The men also should not be shackled except by handcuffs and they should be treated in the same way as any other remand prisoner, he ordered.
The court earlier heard evidence that the conditions under which the defendants are transported to court each day has compounded their psychiatric problems.
Four psychiatrists gave evidence that the conditions of incarceration and transport would make it difficult for the men to properly defend themselves.
Justice Bongiorno agreed that under the current circumstances the accused were likely to receive an unfair trial, although he said they had not been disadvantaged so far.
The judge called on the Victorian Department of Justice to comply with his orders by March 31, when the trial is due to resume.
Terror accused deserve better: judge
Thursday Mar 20 17:14 AEDT
The judge in Australia's largest terrorism trial has ordered sweeping changes be made in the conditions under which the 12 men standing trial are imprisoned.
The order follows concerns expressed by lawyers for the 12, who are on trial in the Supreme Court in Melbourne on charges including being members of a terrorist organisation, and that they planned to commit a terrorist act.
The court has been told the accused have been held in Victoria's highest security prison from more than two years while awaiting trial in conditions likely to lead to them suffering psychiatric problems.
Their trial began last month and is expected to continue until at least the end of the year.
Justice Bernard Bongiorno on Thursday ordered the accused men be given extra time out of their cells and that they should not be strip-searched when going to and from court.
The men also should not be shackled except by handcuffs and they should be treated in the same way as any other remand prisoner, he ordered.
The court earlier heard evidence that the conditions under which the defendants are transported to court each day has compounded their psychiatric problems.
Four psychiatrists gave evidence that the conditions of incarceration and transport would make it difficult for the men to properly defend themselves.
Justice Bongiorno agreed that under the current circumstances the accused were likely to receive an unfair trial, although he said they had not been disadvantaged so far.
The judge called on the Victorian Department of Justice to comply with his orders by March 31, when the trial is due to resume.