2RHPZ
07-24-2004, 04:58 PM
Counter-terror squads swoop on Iraqi in Perth
Ian McPhedran
17jul04
POLICE anti-terrorism squads, ASIO and the FBI have combined to nab a former Iraqi refugee for allegedly planning to murder members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party.
Khairalla Al Bunajim, 40, from the southern Perth suburb of Maddington, was yesterday charged under West Australian law with conspiracy to commit wilful murder in Iraq.
He has lived in Australia for several years and is an Australian citizen.
Mr Al Bunajim's home was raided on Thursday night by Australian Federal Police and state police joint counter-terrorism teams from WA and NSW.
ASIO had been monitoring Al Bunajim's telephone calls, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation was also involved in the operation.
Another home in the Sydney suburb of Yagoona was raided in connection with the plot.
It is understood a Yagoona man was being used to channel funds, but he has not been charged and is helping police with their investigations.
An AFP statement said police would allege Mr Al Bunajim conspired with associates to arrange a number of murders in Iraq.
"Inquiries are continuing to identify the potential victims, who are believed to be from the political group Ba'ath," the AFP said.
It will also be alleged that Mr Al Bunajim provided funds to pay for the crime.
AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said the charges related to an unnamed target in Iraq.
"This follows the work of our joint counter-terrorism teams in both NSW and Western Australia," Mr Keelty said.
Mr Al Bunajim's lawyer, Andree Horrigan, said her client was facing a serious charge, but she believed the case against him was flimsy.
"He's got children, a wife (and) they're all obviously worried about him and at most the evidence appears to be relatively flimsy," she said.
No bail application was made and the matter was adjourned to the same court on August 9, when an interpreter will be present.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock confirmed that authorities had tracked down the alleged former Australian ring leader of outlawed terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah.
School teacher Abdul Rahim Ayub was located about three months ago at Puncak, a town near the West Java city of Bogor.
Ayub, who is alleged to have led JI in Australia, has reportedly been co-operating with Indonesia's national intelligence agency BIN.
Also yesterday Mr Howard accused the Philippines of buckling to terrorism by withdrawing troops from Iraq.
He said he had considered how he would react to the taking of an Australian hostage and knew he could not allow it to change the way Australia responded to terrorism.
"You give in, the game is over and they will increase the intensity of their attacks," Mr Howard said.
Ian McPhedran
17jul04
POLICE anti-terrorism squads, ASIO and the FBI have combined to nab a former Iraqi refugee for allegedly planning to murder members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party.
Khairalla Al Bunajim, 40, from the southern Perth suburb of Maddington, was yesterday charged under West Australian law with conspiracy to commit wilful murder in Iraq.
He has lived in Australia for several years and is an Australian citizen.
Mr Al Bunajim's home was raided on Thursday night by Australian Federal Police and state police joint counter-terrorism teams from WA and NSW.
ASIO had been monitoring Al Bunajim's telephone calls, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation was also involved in the operation.
Another home in the Sydney suburb of Yagoona was raided in connection with the plot.
It is understood a Yagoona man was being used to channel funds, but he has not been charged and is helping police with their investigations.
An AFP statement said police would allege Mr Al Bunajim conspired with associates to arrange a number of murders in Iraq.
"Inquiries are continuing to identify the potential victims, who are believed to be from the political group Ba'ath," the AFP said.
It will also be alleged that Mr Al Bunajim provided funds to pay for the crime.
AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said the charges related to an unnamed target in Iraq.
"This follows the work of our joint counter-terrorism teams in both NSW and Western Australia," Mr Keelty said.
Mr Al Bunajim's lawyer, Andree Horrigan, said her client was facing a serious charge, but she believed the case against him was flimsy.
"He's got children, a wife (and) they're all obviously worried about him and at most the evidence appears to be relatively flimsy," she said.
No bail application was made and the matter was adjourned to the same court on August 9, when an interpreter will be present.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock confirmed that authorities had tracked down the alleged former Australian ring leader of outlawed terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah.
School teacher Abdul Rahim Ayub was located about three months ago at Puncak, a town near the West Java city of Bogor.
Ayub, who is alleged to have led JI in Australia, has reportedly been co-operating with Indonesia's national intelligence agency BIN.
Also yesterday Mr Howard accused the Philippines of buckling to terrorism by withdrawing troops from Iraq.
He said he had considered how he would react to the taking of an Australian hostage and knew he could not allow it to change the way Australia responded to terrorism.
"You give in, the game is over and they will increase the intensity of their attacks," Mr Howard said.