Terror accused refuse to stand for judge
by David King
NINE Sydney men who pleaded not guilty to conspiring to plan a terrorist bombing in Australia refused to stand before the bench when they appeared in court today.
The men, all of whom were arrested in an anti-terrorism sweep in November last year, are now likely to face a year-long trial beginning in February.
Omar Baladjam, Khaled Cheikho, Moustafa Cheikho, Mohamed Elomar, Abdul Rakib Hasan, Mohammad Omar Jamal, Mirsad Mulahalilovic, Khaled Sharrouf and Mazen Touma appeared before NSW Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy today and pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to plan a terrorist act.
The men broke with convention and did not stand before the judge as the charges against them were read out and their pleas received, with lawyer Adam Houda saying religious observances prevented them from doing so.
"The accused have a problem with standing up," Mr Houda said, and added the men intended no disrespect to the court. All of the nine wore beards and five wore traditional muslim islamic attire.
They chatted among themselves, and as they were led away from court some of them exchanged chants of "Allahuakbar" or "God is great" with their friends and supporters in the public gallery.
One of the men, Omar Baldajam, a former actor, sat with his arm in a sling. He was hospitalised during an alleged shoot-out with police during his arrest.
Commonwealth prosecutor Wendy Abraham QC said crown case against the men was expected to take six to eight months.
The court heard pre-trial legal matter are expected to take three months. The combined defence cases could also take months. The court heard defence teams would have to listen to CDs of recorded evindence that required 80 days to listen to.
Justice Wheally, who is expected to be the trial judge, said attempts were being made to have the trial heard in Sydney's Darlinghurst court complex, and not in Penrith in western Sydney where the committal hearing was held.
He said all parties were concerned that the case proceed to trial quickly, primarily because of the men's strick conditions of incarceration. Some of the men are held in the Supermax section of Goulburn jail.
Defence lawyers signalled they would bring legal challenges against the charges.
The matter will return to court in August.
What are those "religious observance" that prevent jihadists from standing up in an infidel court of law?!?
Could it be that they do not believe infidel courts have jurisdiction over moslems, because allah's law is supreme?!?
Why did the judge or reporters fail to ask about these "religious observances"?!?
Is their ignorance of islam so great, that they can possibly be insulted without even knowing it?!? While the ummah knows full well what is going on?!?
Or were they just afraid of finding out the truth and having it become fodder for public discourse in Australia?!?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Pertinent Links:
1) Terror accused refuse to stand for judge
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