“Terrorists” arrested
Weeks of scare mongering over a potential terrorist threat to Australia has come to a head today with state and federal police arresting 18 people in early morning raids in Sydney and Melbourne. 400 police took part in the operation and 23 separate search warrants were issued. One of the raids at Green valley in Sydney ended with one suspect being critically wounded by police in a shoot out. Some of those arrested have been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, while others have been charged with “membership of a banned organisation”. Today’s police actions were mostly carried out under old laws, not the legislation that is currently being debated in Federal Parliament. Political leaders from both major parties and high-ranking police officers have today claimed that the operation has definitely foiled a serious threat. Everyone from Peter Costello to NSW Premier Morris Iemma have applauded the arrests and have suggested that today’s events “prove” the terror threat is real. So in this highly charged climate, can those arrested expect the presumption of innocence and a fair trial? Joining us now on the Wire is Melbourne Lawyer ROB STARY, who is representing some of those charged.