Belal Saadallah Khazaal: Man convicted of terror book charged again

A man jailed for compiling a graphic terror handbook has been returned to custody after the AFP allegedly uncovered links to a man who funded ISIS.

Just a year since he was released a Sydney man jailed for authoring a 110 page terrorism guidebook is back behind bars after allegedly contacting a man convicted of funding ISIS from down under.

Belal Saadallah Khazaal, 51, has been returned to jail on remand after allegedly breaching strict “control orders” monitored by the federal police who wanted to keep a watchful eye on him after he served 12 years in jail for terror-related offences.

He was released on strict conditions in August 2020 under an AFP managed order, forcing him to wear a tracking device, adhering to a tight curfew and banning him from venues like major ports in NSW.

Khazaal, pictured, was living in Greenacre at the time. Picture: Sam Mooy

Police now allege Khazaal in April and March this year twice used a woman to reach out to Ali Al-Talebi, a Sydney man convicted of sending thousands of dollars to ISIS as they waged a bloody war in Syria.

Al-Talebi was the first Australian to ever be convicted and jailed for funding terrorism when a jury found him guilty in 2016.

According to documents tendered to Burwood Local Court, police allege Greenacre man Khazaal then sent the intermediary woman he used to contact Al-Talebi behind bars more than $500 without telling the AFP or showing them a receipt.

Khazaal remains in custody on remand. Picture: AAP/Jenny Evans

Khazaal had been released from prison for just seven months at the time after serving 12 years behind bars for publishing a book online called “Provisions on the Rules of Jihad” which included tips for assassinations on public figures in countries including Australia.

The website he uploaded it to, his trial heard at the time in 2008, was supported by al-Qaeda.

The 110 page guidebook complied by Khazaal in 2003 included an introduction that told followers to “fight infidels to make god’s word supreme”.

The book was also described as “practical guide to achieving martyrdom”.

Khazaal will have his case heard back in the same court later this year.

Khazaal successfully appealed for a retrial in the Supreme Court before the High Court later overturned that and reinstated his convictions and jail sentence.

He was denied parole three times while serving his prison term and was released into the control order under strict conditions that allowed the AFP to know where he is at all times.

His case was briefly mentioned in Burwood Local Court on Wednesday where Magistrate Miranda Moody adjourned it to be heard there again later this year.

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