Usman Khawaja’s brother Arsalan drawn into terror investigation

Usman Khawaja’s older brother has been drawn into a terror investigation after being questioned last week over a notebook.

Arsalan Khawaja, left, with brother Usman Khawaja. Picture: Facebook

The older brother of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has been drawn into a terror investigation after being questioned last week over a university notebook which police allege contained plans for a terrorist attack.

Police searched the western Sydney home of Arsalan Khawaja and his parents last week, looking for evidence relating to the notebook found at the University of NSW last month which allegedly contained a “hit-list” mentioning former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and foreign minister Julie Bishop as targets.

Mr Khawaja has not been ­arrested and police have not laid any charges.

The Australian is not suggesting Mr Khawaja has engaged in any wrongdoing, only that the police are investigating.

Mohamed Nizamdeen, 25, who owned the notebook, was arrested and charged in August with knowingly making a document connected to terrorism. He spent four weeks in Goulburn’s Supermax prison before the charge was withdrawn on Friday.

The notebook was found in Mr Nizamdeen’s desk at UNSW. It is understood Mr Khawaja is a colleague of Mr Nizamdeen.

Mr Nizamdeen may launch court action, seeking legal costs and compensation from police.