Supporters of terror accused refuse to stand in Melbourne court
SUPPORTERS of the men accused of plotting a Christmas Day massacre refused to observe protocols and stand when a magistrate entered the court to hear the case.
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SUPPORTERS of four accused terrorists refused to observe protocols and stand when a magistrate entered the court to hear the case.
Ibrahim Abbas, 23, is accused of planning to blow up the heart of Melbourne on Christmas Day in an attack aimed at unleashing destruction and causing mass casualties.
He faces terror charges alongside brother Hamza Abbas, 22, and mates Ahmed Mohamed, 24, and Abdullah Chaarani, 26.
All four are appearing at a preliminary hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, supported by about a dozen people, many of whom declined to observe the standard protocol of standing as asked by the clerk when magistrate Peter Mealy entered or left the bench.
Mr Mealy famously runs a strict court and over the years has kicked people out for breaches such as ringing phones.
On Monday, he again confiscated a television reporter’s phone when it beeped.
But he has not taken issue with the those in the public gallery who have declined to stand.
One woman began to stand when Mr Mealy entered the court following a short adjournment but sat down after being spoken to by a man sitting three seats along.
The four men are accused of planning a Christmas Day terror attack on Melbourne constructed a bomb made from sparklers and match heads, the court has heard.
Forensic expert John Kelleher earlier told the court he analysed a red plastic container loaded with homemade explosive powder.
On analysis, Mr Kelleher determined there was a little over 350 grams of sparkler composition — equivalent to more than 350 sparklers.
Mixed in with the powder was 32 grams of match heads.
Another bag found at the house contained sugar mixed in with sparkler composition.
The court heard some of the men may have carried out bomb tests at a property at Clonbinane — 55kms north of Melbourne.
The Herald Sun is unable to report much of what is before the court after lawyers acting for the accused successfully argued against the release of a police summary of events.
What can be revealed is Hamza Abbas is also accused of grafittying his prison cell with inflammatory comments while being held on remand.
His barrister, Julian McMahon, said his client disputed the allegations and claimed a handwriting expert would clear his name.
“It’s likely to attract real media attention considering the nature of it,” Mr McMahon said.
Mr McMahon revealed his client had been questioned over an arson attack on a mosque in Fawkner last November, but was not charged.
Hatim Moukhaiber, 29, of Meadow Heights and two others — who cannot be named due to a court-imposed gag order — were charged last weekend over the attack and faced court on Monday.
Security remains on high alert for the preliminary hearing, with additional guards positioned outside the courthouse and more checking licences on entry into the courtroom.
In tense scenes, Mr Mohamed was ordered to stop communicating with people in the courtroom.
The order followed a complaint from a journalist that he was encouraging women dressed in burkas to intimidate a court artist.
On Monda, Mr Mohamed could be seen baring his teeth at the artist in between periods of hiding his face.
The men were arrested following terror raids across Melbourne days before Christmas last year.
Police allege Flinders St station, Federation Square and St Paul’s Cathedral were major targets of an Islamic State-inspired plot.
CCTV footage allegedly captured the men walking around Federation Square shortly before their arrest.
It’s claimed common household goods were stockpiled at the Meadow Heights home of the group’s suspected ringleader to fuel the deadly blast.
Following the arrests, Commissioner Graham Ashton said there was evidence to suggest there were plans for an “explosive act” which had the power to injure or kill a “substantial” number of people in an area around Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders St Station.
Police believe there were also plans to use other weapons including knives and firearms, Mr Ashton said.
Premier Daniel Andrews labelled the alleged plot an “evil act” and “not an act of faith”.
The preliminary hearing continues.