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Revision as of 13:01, 5 May 2006 by Stuart Drewer (talk | contribs) (ref)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Joseph Terrence Thomas (b. 1973) is an Australian criminal, convicted of receiving funds from Al-Qaeda. He was acquitted of providing resources that would assist in a terrorist act. Thomas is the first Australian to be convicted under anti-terrorism laws introduced in Australia after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York. Thomas was sentenced on March 31, 2006 to 5 years prison with a non-parole period of two years.
Attorney General Philip Ruddock said after news of the conviction,
- "The convictions of Mr Thomas for the terrorist offence and the offence related to passport manipulation demonstrate the seriousness with which these issues are dealt with by the law and highlights the consequences of becoming involved in these activities".
This was in relation to his travels to Pakistan and Afghanistan, after he married and converted to Islam. Since his arrest, Thomas has been referred to in the media as 'Jihad Jack' because when he converted to Islam he took on the name Jihad.
Thomas's lawyer, Rob Stary described the not guilty verdicts on the more serious charges as a "significant victory".
The trial was highly controversial, as the evidence used to prosecute Thomas consisted solely of an interview conducted in a Pakistani military prison. Despite claims that the evidence was obtained under duress and that Thomas had been tortured, the judge deemed the interview to be admissable.
References
- ^ Thomas convicted under terror laws, The Age, February 26, 2006
- Thomas sentenced under terror laws, News.com.au, March 31, 2006
- The Convert, Four Corners, February 27, 2006
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