FOREIGN OWNED TABLOID RUNS TYPICAL 'TERRORIST' HIT-PIECE

Terror suspect hates Australians, court told

Melissa Jenkins

August 25, 2009 02:26pm

ONE of five men charged over an alleged suicide terror plot hates Australians and anyone who does not follow Islam, a court has been told.

Boilermaker Saney Edow Aweys, 26, of Carlton North, allegedly conspired with his co-accused to launch an attack on the Holsworthy army barracks in NSW and is one of three men applying for bail in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

Police allege he was involved in recruiting people to fight in the civil war in Somalia.

He is also facing charges relating to the provision of about $2700 to Walid Osman Mohamed, whom police belive to be in an armed conflict training camp somewhere in Somalia.

Aweys' lawyer Rob Stary asked federal agent David Kinton whether investigators had planted a covert operative amongst the group of accused.

Agent Kinton will seek legal advice as to whether or not he will answer that question and may claim public interest immunity so he does not have to respond.

He said police had secretly intercepted telephone conversations between Aweys and Mohamed.

"We have conversations that indicate that Walid Mohamed has been directly engaged in armed conflict and has ... admitted to killing a number of people over there,'' he told the court.

Agent Kinton said police were unaware of who was running the camp and of its exact location.

Mr Stary said the prosecution case against his client was weak and allegations relating to the civil war in Somalia could not be supported due to the complex nature of the transitional government there.

Aweys is a father of three children and his wife is due to give birth again in October, the court was told.

Agent Kinton said Aweys intended to travel to Somalia with two of his children.

"Mister Aweys is, I suppose (the) common theme is, hatred towards Australia and Australian people and anyone who doesn't follow Islam,'' he said.

During a secretly recorded telephone conversation with his wife on May 8 this year, Aweys allegedly said: "I am going to fight, why would I not enter paradise?"

His wife allegedly replied: "Why not? Four small kids."

"There is a war going on between Muslims and infidels,'' Aweys allegedly said.

"You are not going to paradise because you have got four small kids to support,'' his wife replied.

Nayef El Sayed, 25, of Glenroy, and Yacqub Khayre, 22, of Meadow Heights are also applying for bail.

Co-accused Abdirahman Mohamud Ahmed, 25, from Preston, is expected to apply for bail at a later date. Another co-accused, Wissmam Mahmoud Fattal, 33, has not applied for bail.

Magistrate Peter Reardon has indicated he will make some comments later today relating to people not standing in court.

During previous court appearances relating to the charges, both Fattal and El Sayed have refused to stand when asked by Mr Reardon.

Their lawyers have indicated they stand for no one but God.

El Sayed has stood when required during the current bail application, which is continuing.