Thomas in court again : Melbourne Indymedia

A WERRIBEE father of three Jack Thomas will face re-trial on [political scapegoat alleged terrorism charges] this week after being convicted then released on appeal last August [because the evidence used against him was obtained under duress, whilst he was being tortured.]

The Supreme Court of Victoria hearing will start on Thursday 12 April.

Thomas’ solicitor, Rob Stary, said he expects his client to be acquitted.

He believes the hearing will take longer than four days.

Thomas faced the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday 23 March and pleaded not guilty to one charge of terrorism and not guilty to one charge of falsifying his passport [by changing the date.]

Thomas denied one charge under terrorism legislation of intentionally accepting funds from a terrorist organisation in Pakistan in 2003.

The re-trial cannot be based on any previous evidence from the Court of Appeal and instead will include new evidence based on alleged admissions Thomas gave in media interviews.

Thomas’ two-year jail term was quashed last August on the grounds that the evidence he gave while in custody in Pakistan should have been ruled inadmissible, as it was involuntary.

In an interview with ABC’s Four Corners [Walls] program, Thomas said: “The money I took wasn’t for terror work.

“The money I took was meted out $US1500 for a year’s maintenance and $US2000 for waiting so long.”

In a separate civil case, Thomas is also waiting for a decision from the High Court of Australia on the control order that restricts his communications and movements.

Mr Stary said it is being opposed on constitutional grounds and would be announced in coming months.

However, the one-year control is due to lapse in August regardless.

Meanwhile, Thomas' wife, Maryati, is expecting the couple's fourth child.

Source: http://www.senews.com.au/story/39538

Related:

Jack Thomas to face trial on scapegoat terrorism charges

So whatever you do don't give the media an interview if you're being accused or look like being accused, your life and your children's future may depend on it!

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2007/03/142568.php

Political scapegoat to face retrial for a Walkley award

But the facts about his torture seems a little difficult for John Howard's ABC to spit out in today's news! And John Howard's motives should be very clear to everyone. Scapegoats have become the latest fascism.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/57627

U.S. Army Subpoenas Independent Journalist to Testify

Ring a bell? Jack Thomas and Four Corners!

Read on or better still watch the program if you can.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/57759

Australian court orders re-trial on terrorist charges

His re-trial is a warning that the political and media establishment will stop at nothing to try to secure convictions to bolster the “war on terror” and overturn essential protections against official persecution, such as the rules against torture and double jeopardy.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/57711

Australia: The torture of Jack Thomas

Given the High Commissioner’s role and the reference to “high places,” there is every indication that the Australian government sanctioned these abuses. What is indisputable is that, acting on its behalf, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions sought to secure convictions that depended entirely upon the completely unreliable statements that Thomas made in his desperation to stop the beatings, avoid being sent to Guantánamo Bay and be allowed to go home.

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/20988

Jack Thomas served with control order

Anyway who cares about civil liberties should be outraged at this decision. We hear about authoritarian governments putting people under house arrest in Burma – well, now it’s happening right here in Australia!’

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/120670.php

Professor George Williams says

University of New South Wales law expert Professor George Williams says the matter could be tested in the High Court.

He says the case will reduce people's confidence in the justice system.

"The fact that a jury is not involved, the fact that the criteria are loaded against the person because the standard of proof is significantly lower than it would normally be, mean that even though a judge, I have no doubt, will attempt to give a fair hearing and do his or her best - doesn't matter," he said.

"You've got the system stacked against someone.

"This is not a normal process and indeed that's exactly the problem with it."

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/120828_comment.php

If they were any tougher they'd Rust!

Tougher terrorism laws predicted after Thomas ruling?

A top defence lawyer says he is concerned the Government might push for tougher anti-terrorism laws as a result of the quashing of convictions against Melbourne man Joseph Terrence Thomas.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1718915.htm

Judge quashes Thomas conviction

This is fantastic news. Congratulations to Jack and the Thomas family! It is a vindication of everyone prepared to fight for basic rights -- and makes the bus trip all the more important. We're in the process of putting a press release out. Good news for a change!

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display/19874/index.php

Joseph Thomas conviction immoral

AN EMBARRASSING conviction based on TORTURE IMMORAL

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117441.php

DPP should lose the plot!

Now why would the DPP do that? Based on some notion I suppose, that john hoWARd (the hangman) wants to use Thomas's butt again, to raise the fear stakes in the introduction of the new Anti-Liberty-Dissent Directives!

http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9617