Wednesday, February 20, 2008

AUSTRALIA'S OWN SCHOLARLY TERRORISM STUDENT

David Hicks, Australia's most famous terrorism student, received a well-rounded foreign education:
The notebook reveals the scholarly approach Mr Hicks took to terrorist training in Pakistan, both before and after the September 11 attacks on the US.

The 30 pages in the notebook reveal the lessons taught to Mr Hicks while he trained with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba in Pakistan between 2000 and 2002.

The notebook details weapons and warfare, along with crude survival tips. It has sections on the mathematics of different weaponry as well as crude first aid and survival tips.

Hand-drawn diagrams show how to target a tank using a rocket-propelled grenade, how to penetrate security guard positions around VIPs and different formations for guerilla attacks.
Yep, Hicks will fit right in at university, if he can force himself to leave the house:
David Hicks will stay on file as a dangerous terrorist interested in jihad after the former Guantanamo Bay detainee was unable to provide contradictory evidence to an Adelaide court.
And why was Hicks "unable" to either explain or defend his actions?
Hicks stayed away from the hearing this week in the Federal Magistrates Court in Adelaide to confirm a control order and did not provide an affidavit or instruct his counsel to mount a defence. Mr McLeod said Hicks could have been called for cross-examination if he submitted an affidavit and he lacked the confidence to attend.

Mr McLeod, who visited Hicks at the notorious US military prison for terrorists in Cuba six times, said Hicks had adapted to domestic life quite well but remained fragile. He said Hicks' non-appearance could be blamed on the treatment he received while in prison.

"The answer lies in his abuse and mistreatment over more than 5½ years at the hands of the United States, aided and abetted by the Australian authorities," Mr McLeod said.
Unfortunately for Hicks, the magistrate who reviewed the control order isn't buying his lawyer's spin:
Mr Donald said the control order was made on the basis of evidence from the Australian Federal Police, which Hicks had not contradicted despite ample opportunity to do so.
Hicks's lawyers do admit to a connection between Islam and terrorism, however, pointing out Hicks is not dangerous because he is "no longer a Muslim".

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