Terror charges against UNSW student Mohamed Kamer Nilar Nizamdeen dropped

Mohamed Kamer Nilar Nizamdeen was accused of planning an ISIS-inspired attack, but his alleged diary notes didn’t match his handwriting.

Kamer Nizamdeen now plans to take legal action against the police. Picture: Damian Shaw

The Australian Federal Police has defended its handling of a terror investigation against a Sri Lankan man working at a Sydney university, after all charges were dropped against him and his lawyer declared he would sue the state of NSW.

Mohamed Kamer Nilar Nizamdeen, 25, was arrested and charged with creating a document in connection with preparing for a terrorist act on August 31 after officers found a notebook that allegedly contained detailed plans for a terror attack.

His home was then raided, where officers seized his mobile phone and computer, neither of which was found to contain extremist material.

It had been alleged the notebook named former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former deputy leader Julie Bishop, former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and the Sydney Opera House, and was found at the University of NSW, where he worked as a contractor.

Mr Nizamdeen was released on bail on September 28 after a Sydney court heard a handwriting specialist could not match the writing in the notebook.

At Central Local Court in Sydney this morning, a magistrate was told charges had been withdrawn.

The AFP released a statement saying it appeared Mr Nizamdeen had been framed, as the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team had acted “in good faith” and there was no ongoing threat to community safety.

“The decision to lay the charge was informed by an investigation of one of Mr Nizamdeen’s notebooks found in a desk he used at the University of NSW,” the AFP said.

“The JCTT yesterday received definitive advice on the handwriting that has resulted in the action to discontinue the prosecution …

“The JCTT acted in good faith on the evidence available at all stages of the investigation. The very nature of terrorism matter often means that police need to intervene earlier than they would in normal criminal matters.

“The JCTT has committed significant resources to this investigation and is determined to discover those responsible for these criminal actions.”

Outside Central Local Court in Sydney, Mr Nizamdeen’s lawyer, Moustafa Kheir, said: “We will be seeking justice for him in the NSW Supreme Court”.

“What authorities have done to this young man is absolutely unforgivable,

“It’s a terrible experience, as a young man who has done everything right in life,

“He’s gone through Supermax jail, unforgivable circumstances,” Mr Kheir said.

According to reports, Mr Nizamdeen’s uncle is Faiszer Musthapha, the Sri Lankan Sports and Local Government Minister, with Mr Musthapha telling the ABC he believed his nephew was innocent.

After his arrest, hundreds of people gathered in his hometown in Sri Lanka to protest his treatment.

Mr Nizamdeen’s costs application was set down for hearing on November 23 in Central Local Court.

Additional Reporting: Sam Buckingham Jones & AAP

.