Vic: Prayer room to be set up in court for accused terrorists

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2006
Vic: Prayer room to be set up in court for accused terrorists

MELBOURNE, April 28 AAP - A group of accused terrorists will be able to pray in a special
room during their court hearing in Melbourne.

Thirteen Victorian men have been charged with various terrorism related offences as
part of the two-year counter-terrorism investigation Operation Pendennis.

Magistrate Paul Smith today said he was sensitive to the fact that Muslim prayer times
would fall during the committal hearing, scheduled for June.

"I am mindful that at least one of the prayer times will fall during the court sitting
hours," he said.

"I think that we have got to look at providing a room, that if the defendants wish
to pray they can."

This is not the first time defendants have been allowed to pray during court proceedings.

Defence counsel Gerard Mullaly said orthodox Jews appearing in the County Court had
been allowed to pray during proceedings.

"I accept that the community understands that this is nothing special being provided
to these men (the accused terrorists)."

One of the accused, Bassam Raad, 24, of Brunswick, is charged with being a member of
and providing funds and support to a terrorist organisation between July 2004 and November
2005.

Today, his lawyer Peta Murphy said her client would apply for bail at a later date.

She said he was a paranoid schizophrenic and required ongoing medication.

At his last court appearance, Raad represented himself after sacking his lawyers.

He said he would not get a fair trial because he was Muslim and accused the Australian
Federal Police of framing him.

Today, Mr Smith adjourned the Operation Pendennis matter until May 4.

AAP mj/dk/cdh/bwl

KEYWORD: TERROR VIC

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