Federal Court imposes control orders upon acquitted terror suspect Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif, saying she’s obsessed with violence
A court has imposed strict controls on acquitted terror suspect Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif, saying she’s too weak to resist extremist influences – and remains obsessed with violence.
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Acquitted terror suspect Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif is obsessed with violence, naive in the extreme, determined to marry an Islamic State fighter and too mentally weak to resist the group’s orders, the Federal Court says.
On Friday, Justice Natalie Charlesworth imposed interim anti-terror control orders upon the former nursing student, saying her “persistent psychological vulnerability” meant she remained a threat to the Australian public.
She said Ms Abdirahman-Khalif had to be controlled because she had proven unable to control herself when approached by extremists or shown their violent propaganda.
Justice Charlesworth also noted Ms Abdirahman-Khalif had been blocked from undertaking anti-radicalisation rehabilitation programs, as revealed by The Advertiser.
“She was never provided with any meaningful opportunity to deradicalise in prison, and I pause here to express my dismay at that,” she said.
“She is susceptible to the influence of extremist and violent material, continues to have very poor psychological resistance and is naive in the extreme.
“She is obsessed with violence and it is highly likely she will seek out, engage with and marry an IS extremist, and do whatever she is told to do.
“IS women are subservient, but that makes them no less dangerous.”
Ms Abdirahman-Khalif, 25, spent 891 days in jail accused, and then convicted of, being a member of a terrorist organisation.
Last month her conviction was overturned on appeal, prompting the Federal Government to launch a bid to have her placed under anti-terror control orders.
It told the court such orders would protect the Australian public and Ms Abdirahman-Khalif herself from extremists looking to take advantage of her “notoriety”.
They questioned her claims of rehabilitation and said she had links to members of the Clavell family – several of whom are alleged to hold extremist ideals.
They alleged Ms Abdirahman-Khalif was asked if she would be interested in marrying Daniel Clavell – who converted to Islam after a violent crime spree – upon her release.
MORE ON THE CLAVELL CLAN:
Rodney Clavell: From man of God to Adelaide’s most wanted
Daniel Clavell: Islam will rehabilitate my steroid-fuelled crime spree
Joshua and Joel Clavell: Brothers on terror watch-list ‘assaulted police’
Her counsel argued the orders were unnecessary and an overreach of the government’s power, given she had been acquitted of wrongdoing by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
On Friday, Justice Charlesworth noted that, in the Supreme Court, the allegations against Ms Abdirahman-Khalif had to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the Federal Court only had to be satisfied “on the balance of probabilities” that control orders were needed, and could accept hearsay evidence.
“It’s more probable than not that she will continue to support the ideology of IS and engage with extremists for the purpose of pursuing her intent to marry a fighter,” she said.
“There is a high likelihood she will act on that intent in the short term (without control orders), and there is a real risk she will do whatever they request, including acts of terrorism.”
She said Ms Abdirahman-Khalif’s lack of skills with, or knowledge about, weapons and explosives provided no comfort.
“The risk is she will carry out the instructions of others who have the knowledge and skills, and that she lacks the confidence and psychological resilience to say ‘no’,” she said.
She said Ms Abdirahman-Khalif’s decision to write back to the Clavells after learning their family history, and sever ties, was of no reassurance.
“(In her letter) there was no expression of dismay or disgust, no unwillingness to marry (Daniel),” she said.
“There was nothing to indicate or suggest the Clavells should stop contacting her, including upon her release.
“To engage with strangers while in prison demonstrates she has no insight into her susceptibility.”
Justice Charlesworth imposed 20 of the 21 orders sought, saying a control on Ms Abdirahman-Khalif’s employment opportunities was unnecessary.
The orders take effect immediately, and will remain in force until a hearing next year at which the Commonwealth will seek to have them made permanent.