Usman Khawaja’s brother quietly freed from jail after framing love rival

Arsalan Khawaja has left jail and is back in western Sydney after admitting to concocting a fake terror plot to frame a love rival.

The brother of star Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has been quietly released from jail on parole after making headlines when he admitted to concocting a fake terror plot to frame a man he thought was a love rival.

Arsalan Khawaja, now 42, was jealous of his University of NSW colleague Mohamed Nizamdeen’s friendship with Shakeela Shahid when he stole Mr Nizamdeen’s notepad and wrote about killing politicians and attacking Sydney landmarks in 2018.

Police charged Mr Nizamdeen with terror offences and he spent four weeks inside the notorious Goulburn Supermax prison before the case against him was thrown out.

Khawaja later pleaded guilty to obstructing the court of justice and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years jail with a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years.

He first became eligible for parole in June 2021, but former Attorney-General Michaelia Cash twice rejected his bids for early release.

Arsalan Khawaja and his cricket star brother Usman.

Khawaja, represented by barrister Matthew Kalyk and solicitor Bryan Wrench, launched legal action against Ms Cash in the Federal Court and argued she had not taken into account his borderline personality disorder – a condition that was undiagnosed when he took Mr Nizamdeen’s notebook and scribbled the fake terror plans.

In April 2022, Justice Tom Thawley agreed with Khawaja’s legal team and sent his case back to Ms Cash for her to make a fresh parole decision.

Arsalan Khawaja leaving Parramatta police station on bail. Picture: Adam Yip

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Ms Cash did grant Khawaja parole and he is now back in the community at a western Sydney home.

He declined to comment when approached on Thursday.

It is understood Khawaja’s mental health has been improving rapidly since his offending.

He could not get the proper help he needed while behind bars, but he now has better access on parole.

Khawaja has walked free on bail after he allegedly concocted a fake terror hit list to frame a colleague over a woman. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Khawaja at home in western Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

During his court proceedings an expert called by prosecutors had agreed with an expert called by Khawaja’s lawyers regarding issues around his mental illness.

Ms Shahid, who is in her early 20s and had worked as an IT consultant at UNSW, has previously said it was a confusing time for her during the ordeal.

“I was very confused. I used to be close to Nizamdeen. We never dated, yet ASIO wanted to know our previous history, from the day we met to every single meeting we had,” she said.

“One police officer asked: ‘Do you know what it’s like to go to f**cking jail?’

“One morning, an ASIO officer parked in a white car outside my family’s home ran after me in the street yelling my name as I walked to the station to work.”

Shakeela Shahid was at the centre of a fake terror plot orchestrated by Khawaja. Picture: David Swift.

Nizamdeen, who has since returned to his home country of Sri Lanka, previously said his rights had been violated while on remand.

“It took six days for my lawyers to contact me … I had no contact with the outside world for six days, which is a violation of basic human and fundamental rights,” he said.

“The whole saga has ruined my future and I have returned to Sri Lanka to carry on my life.

“The ordeal has left me shattered and all I can think of is to raise my voice and stand in support of other victims of injustice who stand wrongfully accused by any system.”

Khawaja’s brother Usman, a star batsman who has represented Australia in cricket, had nothing to do with his offending.