Strict supervision conditions won’t be reimposed on Abdul Nacer Benbrika

The terrorist who plotted to blow up the MCG and Crown casino has escaped stricter supervision conditions despite meeting with a man jailed over a shootout with counter-terrorism police and discussing infidels and bullets.

The terrorist who plotted to blow up the MCG has escaped stricter supervision conditions despite meeting with a man jailed over a shootout with counter-terrorism police where they discussed “infidels” and “bullets”.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who spent 18 years behind bars for plotting to maim and kill as many people as possible in bomb attacks on the MCG and Crown casino, was placed on an extended supervision order after he was released in December 2023.

The most stringent conditions, including a curfew and electronic monitoring, were lifted late last year as the focus turned towards his rehabilitation.

But the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s department on Tuesday applied for some conditions to be reimposed after revealing Benbrika had been in repeated contact with a man jailed for nearly five years over a shootout with counter-terrorism officers.

Benbrika met with a man jailed over a shootout with counter-terrorism police. Picture: David Crosling

The Supreme Court heard Benbrika met with Joshua Clavell at a cafe on November 20 where they discussed topics including how police monitoring works, when someone is declared an infidel, blasphemy and bullets.

Barrister Zoe Maud SC, for the Attorney-General, said Benbrika had at least three conversations with Clavell and their topics of discussions concerned authorities.

Benbrika also failed to raise the conversations with his treating psychiatrist, which Ms Maud said showed he either did not appreciate what he was doing or was intentionally being secretive.

The court heard the conversations were covertly recorded on Benbrika’s phone but were difficult to make out.

Ms Maud said the Attorney-General was seeking orders prohibiting Benbrika from associating with Clavell, in addition to restricting his access to electronic devices and the internet.

Benbrika spent 18 years behind bars for leading two terror cells that plotted bomb attacks on the MCG on Grand Final day and the Crown casino.

Clavell rammed a police car and charged at counter-terrorism officers with a knife before he was shot three times following a stand-off in Barnawartha North, near the Victoria-NSW border, in June 2019.

He was jailed for nearly five years over the incident.

Benbrika’s barrister Dan Star KC opposed the orders, saying there were no restrictions on prohibiting his client from meeting Clavell or discussing certain topics.

He also rejected claims they met in secret.

“It’s a public meeting at a cafe,” he said.

He added his client had come “leaps and bounds” since he was released from jail, a position the Attorney-General also held until December.

Justice James Elliott refused to impose further restrictions, instead extending a supervision order requiring Benbrika to continue therapeutic treatment.

The court previously heard Benbrika had made “significant changes in his life” and there was no evidence he had any contact with extremists since his release.

He spent 18 years behind bars for leading two terror cells that plotted attacks in Melbourne between mid-2004 and late 2005.

A trial will be held next month to determine if the supervision order will be extended for a year.