Social media and encrypted apps ban for convicted terrorist Hadashah Sa’adat Khan

A Melbourne woman convicted of recruiting aspiring terrorists has been banned from using social media when she is released from a Victorian jail.

A convicted terrorist will be placed on an interim supervision order when she’s released on parole. Picture: AFP

A convicted terrorist will be banned from social media and encrypted apps when released on parole from a Victorian jail.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus successfully applied in the Supreme Court for Hadashah Sa’adat Khan to be placed on an interim supervision order limiting her movements and access to technology.

Khan, 24, will only be able to use a mobile phone supplied by Australian Federal Police, and will have to stay off Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

She will also be required to reside at her family’s Hallam home in Melbourne’s southeast suburbs, where her allegiance to Islamic State was born, and her offending unfolded in her bedroom under the noses of her parents.

The order will only be in place for three months, when Mr Dreyfus will return to court to push to have a full order made for three years.

The extended order will be opposed by Khan’s legal counsel, who say she has served her punishment.

Mr Dreyfus made the urgent application to the court on Wednesday ahead of Khan’s imminent release on parole on Friday.

She has already served the minimum one-year and 11-month term of her 2 1/2 year sentence for helping to recruit Islamic State fighters.

Hadashah Sa’adat Khan will be placed on an interim supervision order limiting her movements and access to technology. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Shaun Ginsbourg, for the Attorney-General, said it was required to restrict and monitor Khan’s access to technology “to minimise the risk she will be subjected to undesirable influences”.

Mr Ginsbourg relied on letters between Khan and fellow terrorist inmate Momena Shoma — sent to each other in prison — indicating her ongoing allegiance to violent jihad.

Shoma is serving a 48-year jail term for two terror attacks: one in which she stabbed homestay host Roger Singaravelu in the neck in his Mill Park home in 2018, and another in October 2020 while in jail where she used garden shears to try to kill a Canadian inmate.

In the letters, Khan professed her love and inspiration for Shoma, who replied that Khan was “what we exactly need in our ranks – young and passionate Muslims who are ready to surrender to the will of our maker”.

On Thursday, Justice John Dixon ruled in favour of the federal government’s concerns, but said he would only make an interim supervision order for three months, to allow for further arguments in November.

Hadashah Sa’adat Khan sent letters to fellow terrorist inmate Momena Shoma. Picture: AAP

He said he would publish his reasons at a later date.

Khan’s barrister Rishi Nathwani had opposed the application, arguing she had denounced her allegiance to Islamic State and was not an unacceptable risk of committing a terrorism offence.

“She’s effectively denouncing the views she previously expressed,” Mr Nathwani said.

He said the conditions proposed by the Attorney-General were “incredibly punitive” and “draconian” for a young woman who wanted to reintegrate back into the community.

Mr Nathwani said the rule to have her phone on her “at all times” would stop her from visiting her mosque to pray, as mobile phones were not allowed inside.

In June 2016, Khan was just 18 when she acted as an intermediary for Islamic State and used encrypted apps, Kik and Telegram, to help a US teen plan to go to Syria to fight for the terror group.

Her laptop — seized on her arrest — contained videos and images showing her adherence to extreme ideology.

She pleaded guilty to providing support and resources to a terrorist organisation, a crime that carries up to 25 years’ jail.