Belal Khazaal: Terror book writer’s bid for bail over order breach

Despite living under strict conditions after serving 12 years in jail, a man convicted of terror-related offences is back in Supermax for allegedly funnelling money to an ISIS fundraiser behind bars.

A Sydney man who spent more than a decade in jail over terror-related offences denies he funnelled funds to a convicted extremist, claiming it was his wife’s money and it had no links to his jihadi past.

Belal Saadallah Khazaal, 51, is fighting in the Supreme Court to be released on bail after police accused him of breaching strict control orders managing his movements just months after he was released from jail.

Khazaal spent 12 years in prison after being convicted of compiling a graphic terrorism handbook called “Provisions of the Rules of Jihad” which included tips on how to assassinate public figures around the world, including in Australia.

Police allege after he was released in August 2020 Khazaal twice in March and April of this year used a woman to reach out to jailed ISIS fundraiser Ali Al-Talebi.

Khazaal, a grandfather from Greenacre, intends to defend the charges against him.

They also allege $4650 dollars sent to the woman – Al Talebi’s sister – by Khazaal was intended for Al-Talebi.

Al-Talebi is currently behind bars as the first person to ever be jailed in Australia for funding a terrorist organisation after being convicted in 2017 of sending $18,000 to fund the passage of foreign fighters into Syria.

Both men had struck up a friendship after spending time together in jail, the court heard.

On Monday barrister Michael Coroneos told the Supreme Court Khazaal’s wife has signed an affidavit claiming the money was hers and it was “her decision” to hand over the money, not her convicted criminal husband.

The court was told Khazaal’s wife sat in the passenger seat of their car and “took the money from between her feet and passed it discretely” to Al-Talebi’s sister who could pass it onto her brother behind bars.

Commonwealth prosecutors have flagged they intend to appeal the decision to grant Khazaal bail. Picture: AAP /Jenny Evans

“(The money) was to assist Mr Al-Talebi while he was in custody and it cannot be construed to be a terrorism related offence,” Mr Coroneos said.

“The intention was to assist (Al-Talebi’s sister) she was struggling financially to assist with the welfare of Mr Al-Talebi.

“Neither of those intentions in any way make any suggestion of any terror-related activity or related offence.”

The court heard police will allege as the envelope was passed over Khazaal asked Al-Talebi’s sister to pass on his congratulations for wearing a hijab.

His lawyer argued the money was his wife’s and the idea to give it to a known terrorist behind bars was her decision.

Some of the conversation, which was translated by the AFP, were read out in court on Monday.

“That’s it it’s an agreement between me and him,” Khazaal allegedly said.

“Just say to (Al-Talebi) Ramadan money he’ll understand it as that.”

Khazaal sat with his head bowed from Goulburn Supermax prison as the details were aired in open court.

His wife, the court heard, “would be his jailer” if released on bail and has agreed to put up their $1.3 million home as a surety.

Justice Hament Dhanji granted Khazaal bail on strict conditions, including that his wife provide $400,000 as a surety.

Khazaal’s case was adjourned to be heard back again in Burwood Local Court later this year.

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