Fight to keep Australia’s most dangerous terrorist behind bars

The government says terror leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika still has ties to violent jihad and is a serious risk to the community as it fights to keep him locked up.

Australia’s most dangerous terrorist has been likened to a leopard that doesn’t change its spots as the government reignites its fight to keep him locked up in a Victorian prison despite completing his 15-year jail term.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews argued notorious jihadist Abdul Nacer Benbrika remains a risk to the community in a Supreme Court review of his continuing detention order.

Andrew Berger QC, for the Minister, told the court on Monday that Benbrika had not denounced his radical beliefs and that the evidence before Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth should “not persuade your honour that the leopard has changed his spots”.

Recorded prison phone conversations, as well as visitors Benbrika has had while in jail, prove he still has a strong allegiance to violent jihad, he said.

“He continues to be guided by his beliefs,” Mr Berger said.

“His beliefs continue to be extreme. He continues to support the use of violence in certain situations.”

Mr Berger, in his openings, said he would go into more details about the prison visits and telephone calls later in the week.

The government is arguing that Abdul Nacer Benbrika poses a risk to the community and will continue to radicalise others. Picture: Kym Smith

He would also call one of the country’s most experienced police officer’s in counter-terrorism, Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Scott Lee, to testify.

He said Mr Lee was not confident a community-based control order would reduce the risk Benbrika poses if freed.

Among the risks, Mr Berger said, Benbrika poses is he would continue to radicalise others and provide support and finance for a terrorist organisation.

He could also commit a deadly terrorist act.

In 2005, Benbrika was jailed for 15 years for his role in leading two terror cells that plotted bomb attacks on the MCG and Crown casino in Melbourne, and the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney.

On the eve of the Algerian-born cleric’s release date in November 2020, the government successfully applied to keep him behind bars on a continuing detention order for three years.

He failed in a bid to appeal the move.

Under the order, the Supreme Court must review it annually.

The review hearing, before Justice Hollingworth, is expected to go until Friday.