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Australian Court releases Kamer on bail

28 September 2018 08:08 am - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen, the 25-year-old Sri Lankan University student accused of plotting to assassinate Australian politicians has been released on bail, after an expert found the sole piece of evidence couldn't be connected to him, the ABC News reported today.

Mr Nizamdeen was arrested in August after a colleague found a notebook allegedly containing details of plans to kill Malcolm Turnbull and his former deputy Julie Bishop.

He has spent four weeks in jail facing a terror charge - his family and supporters have maintained he is innocent.

"The prosecution has become aware that an expert handwriting examiner found an inconclusive result on the relevant entries contained in the notebook," prosecutor Christina Choi has told the Central Local Court in Sydney.

Without a conclusive expert opinion suggesting the defendant was the relevant author, evidence for the charge has been significantly weakened.

Mr Nizamdeen was charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts on August 31.

Last week, hundreds of people gathered in his hometown in Sri Lanka to protest his treatment in prison.

The alleged list of targets also included the former speaker Bronwyn Bishop, the Sydney Opera House, major train stations and police stations across the Harbour City.

Mr Nizamdeen's lawyer said police had conducted eight hours of interviews with the student which also did not uncover anything against the suspect.

"Let's be clear, Mr Nizamdeen today was granted bail because the case against him is extremely weak, almost non-existent," his lawyer Moustafa Kheir said.

Mr Kheir said his client wanted to "pass on some appreciation" for the support he's been receiving.

"He especially wanted to pass on a thank you to his colleagues at the University of New South Wales."

Detectives allege the Sri Lankan national was acting on his own, and despite police telling a media conference he appeared to be an Islamic State affiliate, they had not charged him with being a member of a terrorist organisation.

The court heard other material belonging to Mr Nizamdeen - like his computer, mobile, and other documents - did not show he had any extremist ideology.

"No extremist ideology material has been located on devices found in possession of Mr Nizamdeen," Ms Choi said.

The prosecutor said the New South Wales Police Commissioner had also submitted a confidential affidavit to verify these circumstances.

Mr Nizamdeen's been living in Australia on a student visa which was cancelled after his arrest.

The court heard arrangements are being made to get him a bridging visa so he won't be sent to immigration detention.

In the meantime, the court ruled Mr Nizamdeen can't leave the country or get a passport and he'll have to live with his uncle in northern Sydney.

He's due to face court again in October.


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  Comments - 23

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  • Yusuf Friday, 28 September 2018 09:58 AM

    So happy to hear this. Please release this boy immediately he has been traumatised enough with this. Find the person who framed him and do justice for this boy and his family!

    Thassim Friday, 28 September 2018 09:58 AM

    Whoever framed him should punished as this will have a huge negative impact on his life.

    TMA Friday, 28 September 2018 10:13 AM

    Good news. Sri Lanka just got saved from a black mark. A potentially valuable resource for either Australia or Sri Lanka. Now the trick will be to find out who planted the notebook. Obviously a close friend

    Janaka from Matara Friday, 28 September 2018 10:31 AM

    Thank god his innocence is proven.It was absolute disgrace to see how bigots in the name of Buddhism went on rampage in social media, labling him an international terrorist even before Australian courts found anything on him. We are such a backward society.

    ioni Friday, 28 September 2018 11:56 AM

    'backward society"!!! 100% on that with you.

    SL Friday, 28 September 2018 01:18 PM

    Never seen such a comment from you regarding others rather than dragging only the Buddhists in to this.

    southpaw Friday, 28 September 2018 06:29 PM

    The same Budhist groups were not interested in going after some youth who happened to show their naked on top of the mountain since the culprits were not muslim.

    Prem Friday, 28 September 2018 10:48 AM

    Shame on you Australian Police, once he proved innocent must apologise to him and whole Sri Lankan’s who supported him and compensate the hardships he faced unnecessarily by them.

    COMPENSATION DUE Friday, 28 September 2018 03:29 PM

    NOT ONLY A SIMPLE APOLOGY - THE GOVT IS DUTY BOUND TO PAY A DEFITY COMPENSATION FOR TRAUMATIZING THE BOY AND RUINING HIS STUDIES AND POSSIBLY HIS FUTURE - What does australia have to say on this.

    mohan Friday, 28 September 2018 03:29 PM

    at least they have released him on bail in srilanka people spending 10 year behind bar without any charger

    Wise Donkey Friday, 28 September 2018 10:54 AM

    The Australian Police did a great mistake. If he really wants to kill anyone would he commit that by wring on a piece of paper. What a stupid frame up. The police should apologize to him and pay an adequate compensation for tarnishing his name.

    GH Friday, 28 September 2018 10:57 AM

    Undoubtedly, whoever behind the scene acted against this innocent guy such an allegation will face the severe repercussion.

    Ceylon Friday, 28 September 2018 11:52 AM

    some one jealouse with him has fabricated him to the fake story.now find out that criminal and lock up him for life.

    Sam Friday, 28 September 2018 12:17 PM

    The same thing always happens in Sri Lanka all the time ... How many apologies have we seen from the Sri Lankan authorities >>>

    Asf Friday, 28 September 2018 12:51 PM

    So happy to hear this. But the police should catch the person who created this issue, probably a close friend or a student in the same University

    Ceylon Friday, 28 September 2018 01:06 PM

    now look at former chief justice sarath silva who publicly admited and apologised from srilankan public for gave wrong judgement to release mahinda from jail and allowed him to be president.

    alex Friday, 28 September 2018 01:51 PM

    that was an insincere apology only to save his face, as he joined the same MR on stage again.

    sameer Friday, 28 September 2018 01:55 PM

    this goes to show there is equal rights in OZ courts and the law works without bias, unlike the SL courts

    quinton Friday, 28 September 2018 05:53 PM

    How darn true

    Prem Friday, 28 September 2018 06:53 PM

    So simple minded person.

    Nuwan Friday, 28 September 2018 05:12 PM

    I think the government's decision to mandate teaching law at schools is really good, because herein many do not seem to understand the difference between released on bail and acquittal. However, this guy, like anyone, will remain innocent until proven guilty. But in Sri Lanka, if someone get arrested for something (big or small) that person is branded as guilty thereon even after full acquittal.

    Expatriate Friday, 28 September 2018 06:52 PM

    Obviously you are ignorant of how things work in Western countries. Once you get arrested irrespective of final outcome the name is tarnished for good in the West.It happened to so many public figures in the West.It is a cruel society.

    Ceylon Friday, 28 September 2018 08:07 PM

    do not judge any one for due to suspicion.


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