Terror leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika feared to be radicalising others
UPDATE: POLICE Minister Lisa Neville has rejected suggestions Australia’s worst convicted terrorist was free to radicalise others in prison.
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POLICE Minister Lisa Neville has rejected suggestions Australia’s worst convicted terrorist was free to radicalise others in prison.
Abdul Nacer Benbrika is currently serving 15 years in jail at Barwon Prison for leading a terrorist plot to attack Melbourne landmarks.
He has recently been moved, first from the Melaleuca unit to the Olearia unit, both of which have a very restricted regimen, then to the less restrictive Hoya unit.
There are fears the charismatic Benbrika is now radicalising other prisoners in Hoya.
But Ms Neville rejected the suggestion, saying he was subject to the most restrictive and strongest oversight and management regime of pretty much any prisoner in our prison system.
“There is no issues about him being subject to lower security and lower oversight,” she said.
“That is just not the case. He remains in the Barwon Prison which is our maximum security prison.
“There are a number of things that are undertaken by Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria in terms of assessing where the most appropriate place is within that prison.
“It’s not just about where but what are the management arrangements.”
“They are assessed almost on a daily basis and they have assured me this is one of the most restrictive and strongest management regimes of any prisoner,” she added.
There was “constant movement” of terrorists behind bars to prevent radicalisation of other prisoners, Ms Neville said.
A total 22 people were involved in deradicalisation programs.
The protection unit also houses serial killer Peter Dupas, baby killer Harley Hicks, Robert Farquharson and triple killer Ashley Mervyn Coulston.
A source told the Herald Sun: “He has a big following since getting to Hoya. I know a few prisoners have converted to Islam, since he got in there.
“He never should have been released from high security management. He is never going to change his extremist beliefs and has a history of attempting to radicalise those around him.”
Benbrika will be eligible for parole in November.
The Opposition on Friday questioned the government on what it is doing to ensure Benbrika remains behind bars and why he has been moved to a less restrictive unit.
Opposition Corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said: “Daniel Andrews must explain why this well known terrorist is not being held in super maximum security, given his convictions and violence offences. (He) must explain what he will do to ensure he is not released from prison later this year.
“We don’t want to hear Daniel Andrews blaming federal intelligence agencies for his failures when all you have to do is a quick Google search to know this guy is a terrorist.”
Government spokesman Matt Macklin said: “The placement and management of prisoners is a matter for Corrections Victoria”.
Jan Shuard, Commissioner of Corrections Victoria, said: “Corrections Victoria staff are alert to any such unacceptable behaviour in our prisons and work closely with other law-enforcement authorities in managing the risk of radicalisation of prisoners.
“We will continue to work with all agencies to share intelligence, monitor prisoner behaviour and manage prisoner placements to ensure the security and good order of the system.
“Corrections Victoria does not discuss individual prisoners, noting all prisoners are classified, placed and managed according to their individual risks.”
Earlier this year the Herald Sun revealed Benbrika was influencing younger extremists on the outside and was linked to one of the key figures in the foiled Christmas Day plot — a plan to attack crowds at St Paul’s Cathedral and Federation Square.
On Thursday it was announced that Victoria Police will soon get five new specialised armoured trucks which can be used in counter-terrorism operations.
The state government confirmed two large armoured trucks and three smaller anti-terror SUV’s have been ordered.