'An enormous threat to civil liberties'

February 2, 2005
Issue 

Chris Slee, Melbourne

A meeting held by the Moreland Peace Group in Brunswick on January 24 discussed the arrest of Jack Thomas under Australia's "anti-terrorism" laws.

Thomas is being held in Barwon prison near Geelong. His brother Les Thomas told the meeting that Jack is being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. He is handcuffed and shackled when taken to and from the prison. He is subject to strip searching before and after visits. Phone calls are limited to six minutes and are recorded. Visitors can only see him through a thick glass panel.

Jack's father Ian Thomas spoke about the background to Jack's arrest. Jack and his wife Maryati went to Pakistan in 2001. Maryati left Pakistan later that year but Jack, a devout Muslim, wanted to study the Koran in more depth so he stayed. He travelled around Pakistan, staying at mosques in different parts of the country. During this time Jack kept in contact with his parents by phone. Ian told the meeting that Jack was "appalled" by the terrorist attack on New York in September 2001.

Jack was removed from a plane at Karachi airport on January 30, 2003, as he was about to return to Australia. He was detained for five months. He was questioned for hundreds of hours by the Pakistani military intelligence and US intelligence agencies. He was subject to sensory deprivation and kept with a hood over his head. Ian argued that this, along with the threats to which Jack was subject, amounted to "psychological torture".

When Jack was released from detention in Pakistan he returned home on a commercial airliner. He was not under arrest while on the plane, nor was he arrested on his arrival. Ian argues that this shows that the five months of questioning in Pakistan had uncovered no evidence of involvement in terrorist activity by Jack.

Jack returned to work and was at liberty for 18 months. He and his wife had a second daughter and had saved money for a deposit on a house.

Then suddenly on November 18, 2004, police arrived at Jack's home with guns and dogs and arrested him. He is charged with providing support to al Qaeda while in Pakistan. The nature of this supposed support is not specified, although ludicrous allegations have been made that he plotted to break prisoners out of the US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. He is also charged with receiving money from al Qaeda and changing the date on a visa in his passport.

Jack was unable to obtain bail. Under changes to the "anti-terrorism" legislation in June 2004, bail can only be granted in "exceptional circumstances". Being held in Barwon prison (rather than in the Melbourne remand centre, as is usual for a person awaiting trial) makes it difficult for Jack to meet his lawyers.

Les said that the case is "an enormous threat to civil liberties" and would set a precedent for similar action against trade unionists and leftists.

At the meeting, $158 was collected for Jack's legal expenses. Donations can be sent to the Thomas Family Trust, c/- Rob Stary and Associates, first floor, 85 Paisley St, Footscray, Victoria 3011.

Jack is due to appear in the Victorian Supreme Court on February 10.

From Green Left Weekly, February 2, 2005.
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