Secret trial for Thomas?

Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:00

MELBOURNE — Rob Stary, the lawyer defending Jack Thomas against terrorism related charges, told a July 27 public forum on the "war on terror" that the government prosecutor had applied for Thomas' trial to be held in camera.

"We think there should be complete freedom of public scrutiny", Stary said. "If Jack is convicted, there will be no way of knowing why or how it happened."

The forum was addressed by Liberty Victoria president Brian Walters QC, Julian Burnside QC and Jack Thomas's brother Les.

The meeting also heard that the prosecution will be using the National Security Information Act (1994), which allows "special evidence" to be admitted from anonymous sources, who do have to appear in court (and thus cannot be cross-examined).

Ben Courtice

From Green Left Weekly, August 3, 2005.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 636