Child killer Aliya Zilic set to be granted day release from mental health facility James Nash House
HE believed his three-year-old son was possessed by the devil when he brutally killed him and dumped his body down a mine shaft in Outback SA. But now, Aliya Zilic is set to be granted supervised day release.
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HE believed his three-year-old son was possessed by the devil when he brutally killed him and dumped his body down a mine shaft in Outback SA.
But now, Aliya Zilic is set to be granted supervised day release.
Zilic, who has schizophrenia and a history of psychosis, yesterday appeared in the Supreme Court, asking for his mental health supervision order to be changed so he can be released on 24 “outings”.
In 2010, Aliya Zilic was ordered to be held in custody indefinitely under a mental health supervision order for killing his son Imran Zilic, 3, between April 20-24, 2008.
On Monday, he appeared in the Supreme Court where he has applied for his supervision order to be changed so he could be released back into the community under supervision for 24 day trips.
Justice David Lovell indicated he was prepared to grant the application but wanted a further report detailing exactly what he would do on these “outings” from James Nash House — a secure mental health facility in Oakden.
He also said he wanted more information about how frequently Zilic would be released.
The court was told Zilic would be under the supervision of two staff members but there was scope to reduce to one if the first 24 days were successful.
His lawyer told the court he would still receive the same treatment from James Nash House.
“They wish to give him the opportunity to return to the community,” he said.
Justice Lovell replied: “I’m supportive of that.”
The court heard that psychiatric reports have stated that there would be no psychotic relapses if he were granted supervised release.
In 2014, Zilic applied for day release but the court was told he was still showing active symptoms of his schizophrenia.
During a trial by judge alone in 2009, Zilic was found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence.
Prosecutor Jim Pearce told the trial that Zilic was a drug addict and schizophrenic who believed his ex-wife, Mirsada Halilovic, was “working for the devil” and “possessed by demons”.
The court heard Zilic told police he believed his son to be in the hands of God.
“(Zilic) said Allah’s name and dropped him in a shaft,” Mr Pearce said.
The boy’s body was found in a disused drill hole 47km south of the Outback town.
The court heard police were able to locate Imran’s body after Zilic drew a map and provided some directions.
Zilic had travelled 2900km from Coober Pedy to Perth in April 2008, arriving to pick up his son about 6am on April 20.
He then returned to Coober Pedy, stopping along the way including at Penong, near Ceduna, where a hotel proprietor described Imran as “hysterical”.
Zilic attended a doctor’s appointment at Coober Pedy Hospital on April 22, when he was prescribed an antipsychotic medication.
“The killing has to have taken place sometime on either the 22nd or 23rd, bearing in mind (Zilic) left Coober Pedy on the 23rd,” Mr Pearce said.
He said police found a washed steak knife in the kitchen drawer at Zilic’s one-bedroom unit in Coober Pedy that had a DNA match to that of his son.
He said other forensic evidence, including blood in Zilic’s car, also linked him to the killing.
Zilic was arrested in the West Australian town of Kununurra, after travelling to Alice Springs and Katherine, both in the Northern Territory.
Mr Pearce told the court three psychiatrists had provided reports indicating Zilic was motivated by paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the murder.
Commissioner for Victims’ Rights, Michael O’Connell, said too many children, like Imran, were killed by their parents.
“South Australia has some of the most victim-inclusive law in relation to mentally incompetent offenders applying for their licence — which can be likened to a sentence imposed by the court — to be varied or revoked,” he said.
“Imran Zilic’s non-offending family should be consulted and their views, if they choose to have a say, should be reported in a victim next-of-kin report that is presented in this case to the Supreme Court.
“The court could show its concern for the family’s wellbeing and safety by imposing conditions in any variation to Mr Zilic’s licence.”
“Furthermore, if they also approve, I can engage a lawyer to assist them in presenting their views — including cross-examining the psychologists — thanks to a previous decision of the Supreme Court in a like case.
“This is an important victim’s right unique to our state.”