Some time ago I wrote an article about Jack “Jihad” Thomas, the Australian convert to Islam who was accused of being an Al-Qaeda terrorist. He had been described as “just an average Aussie,” whose apparent turn to radical Islam took place under mysterious circumstances, but seemed most likely to have stemmed from a religious appeal based on core texts of his new faith.
Anyway, Jihad Thomas may soon be in the clear, but not because he is innocent: “The case against alleged al-Qaeda terrorist Jack ‘Jihad’ Thomas has collapsed after a damning confession he made has been found to be inadmissible.” This from The Age.
“It is believed the 42-page confession, considered to be one of Australia’s most important intelligence documents, mentions plans to set up a terrorist cell in Melbourne. Mr Thomas made the alleged confession to federal police while in custody in Pakistan this year.
“Federal police flew to Pakistan to interview Mr Thomas about two months after his arrest. He was cautioned, warned, and the interview was taped according to Australian law, but his request for a lawyer to be present during the interrogation was denied.
“It is believed that Mr Thomas, a Melbourne taxi driver, told police he had been recruited by al-Qaeda and was assigned to return to Australia to set up a sleeper cell and scout for possible terrorist targets.
“Police have asked lawyers from the office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions if the statement could be used in an Australian court. The DPP’s advice was it would be deemed inadmissible.”