Terror leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika linked to Christmas Day plotters

EXCLUSIVE: AUSTRALIA’S worst convicted terrorist is still influencing younger extremists on the outside and is linked to one of the key figures in the terrifying Christmas Day plot.

Benbrika is locked away in a secure unit in Barwon Prison. Picture Jay Town.

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AUSTRALIA’S worst convicted terrorist is still influencing younger extremists on the outside and is linked to one of the key figures in the terrifying Christmas Day plot.

Senior prison and federal law enforcement sources confirmed to the Herald Sun that Abdul Nacer Benbrika has a direct association with one of the alleged ringleaders of the Christmas terror plot — a plan to attack celebrations at St Paul’s Cathedral or Federation Square.

Locked away in a secure unit in Barwon Prison, the radical Islamic hate preacher has passed messages to extremists, with prison and federal law enforcement sources believing family members are relaying conversations to hardcore followers on the outside.

The family members and Benbrika speak Arabic during prison visits.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika is still influencing younger extremists from jail.

Authorities believe Benbrika has tried to position himself as Australia’s spiritual leader of jihad from behind bars — where he is serving 15 years for leading a terrorist plot to attack Melbourne landmarks.

Benbrika’s son-in-law, Shayden Thorne, was arrested in May 2016 as part of a gang who allegedly tried to flee Australia by boat and join Islamic State groups overseas.

Barwon Prison staff noticed about 18 months ago — when Islamic State was at its zenith — that a hardcore group of followers would regularly visit him in prison.

His outside influence was of growing concern to law enforcement figures in Canberra who cracked down on his visitors.

But he has since continued to preach to followers via his family. While he has not encouraged attacks specifically, he has provided the warped spiritual teaching justifying terrorist atrocities.

He is also allowed phone calls — again in Arabic — but they are believed to be monitored and are instantly translated to English.

Inside the facility, Benbrika is mostly cut off from other prisoners for fear the charismatic hate preacher will spread his vile views throughout the complex.

Benbrika is mostly cut off from other prisoners at Barwon prison for fear the charismatic hate preacher will spread his vile views throughout the complex Picture: Jay Town

He is locked up in Hoya, a protection unit that also houses serial killer Peter Dupas, baby killer Harley Hicks, Robert Farquharson and triple killer Ashley Mervyn Coulston.

It is also understood a number of younger men arrested for terrorism plots — but with no connection to Benbrika — have asked about the health of the “sheik” with legal figures.

His links to the Christmas Day plot — where four men were charged for allegedly planning to carry out an attack at St Paul Cathedral and Federation Square on Christmas Day — and to other radicals in the community have sparked fears his preaching may still be a threat to the community.

Benbrika is eligible for parole in November, which authorities are likely to oppose.

Authorities will also look at laws that could see him face indefinite detention.

In prison he has continued to show disrespect and refused to stand for prison officers during formal head counts, squatting or sitting outside his cell and telling officers he will only stand for Allah.

His son Bakr Benbrika’s passport was revoked after he was stopped by border authorities at Melbourne Airport about two years ago. He claimed he was travelling to the Syrian and Turkish border for humanitarian work, but was suspected of trying to join a terrorist group.

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