Raban Alou appeals for shorter sentence over Curtis Cheng murder

A young Sydney man who saluted Islamic State as he was jailed for 44 years for aiding a terrorist act, the murder of police accountant Curtis Cheng, has told a court he wants a shorter jail term and no longer supports terrorist organisations.

• Raban Alou jailed for at least 33 years
• Curtis Cheng’s widow reads victim impact statement

A young Sydney man who saluted Islamic State as he was sentenced for aiding a terrorist act has told a court he wants a shorter jail term and no longer supports terrorist organisations.

Raban Alou sourced the loaded gun used by Farhad Jabar — also referred to as Farhad Mohammad — to kill accountant Curtis Cheng outside NSW Police headquarters in October 2015.

Raban Alou was sentenced to 44 years jail.

Curtis Cheng: Shot dead in 2015.

The 58-year-old father of two died instantly before the 15-year-old killer was shot dead by police.

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Alou, described as an active planner of the attack, was sentenced in March 2018 to 44 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 33 years.

The 22-year-old, who is appealing the sentence and said in recorded prison phone calls he would never say sorry, on Wednesday apologised for the attack when addressing the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.

Raban Alou sourced the loaded gun used by Farhad Jabar. Picture: Channel 7

“(I have) remorse, I’m sorry, I’ve done wrong,” he said under cross-examination.

Alou said he changed allegiance from Islamic State to al-Qaeda while in prison but hasn’t supported any particular organisation for the past eight months.

“I don’t know much about (al-Qaeda), if I do see something good in them I will support them,” he said.

Earlier, Alou declined to stand as the three appeal judges entered the courtroom, instead sitting with his head bowed.

Raban Alou is arrested by police.

Alou said: “I’m going to paradise, you’re going to hell … this is just the beginning for enemies of Islam” after being sentenced last year.

Alou’s sentence expires in October 2059 and he will be eligible for parole in 2048.

The son of Curtis Cheng, high school teacher Alpha, at the time described the ruling as some “justice finally being done”.

The appeal hearing continues.