By Tara Cosoleto
Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika will be under supervision for another seven months after a judge ruled he was still a risk to the community.
Justice James Elliott made the order in the Supreme Court on Tuesday following an application from the federal attorney-general’s office.
Abdul Nacer Benbrika was placed under strict conditions when he was released in December 2023.
The judge found Benbrika, who was jailed over a 2005 plot to attack the MCG, was still an unacceptable risk of committing a serious offence.
Elliott ruled a series of therapeutic conditions were reasonably necessary and appropriate to protect community safety. These included that Benbrika undergo regular psychological and psychiatric treatment and participate in a de-radicalisation program.
The supervision order will expire on November 28, and the attorney-general’s office has been given until September 28 to decide whether it will apply to extend the order another time.
Benbrika watched via video link, although he appeared to join the hearing late and missed the judge’s ruling. The full reasons for Elliott’s decision were not read in court and instead will be published at a later date.
The ruling came after a five-day hearing in the Supreme Court at which some of the evidence was suppressed due to its sensitive nature.
Benbrika, now aged in his 60s, was convicted over plots to attack the MCG during the 2005 AFL grand final and Melbourne’s Crown casino.
In 2009, he was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for directing a terrorist organisation. His sentence expired in November 2020 but a further three-year detention order was made and he was not released back into the community until December 2023.
Benbrika was immediately placed under the government supervision order, with more than 30 strict conditions. Successive one-month supervision orders have been made since December 2024, ensuring Benbrika remained under supervision until the substantive order was decided on Tuesday.
AAP