FED: Questions about security orders in terrorist's court appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
FED: Questions about security orders in terrorist's court appeal

SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP - Questions have been raised about secrecy orders made in the trial
of convicted terrorist Faheem Khalid Lodhi.

The Pakistani-born architect has lodged an appeal against his conviction and 20-year
jail term for planning a terrorist attack on Australian soil.

Lodhi, 37, was sentenced last year to a maximum 20 years behind bars after being found
guilty of three terrorism-related charges.

Mentioning the case briefly in the NSW Court in Criminal Appeal today, Simon Daley
from the Australian Government Solicitor's office said an administrative error appeared
to have been made in issuing section 31 orders at the trial.

Section 31 orders relate to non-disclosure of certain information under the National
Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Act 2004.

"Unfortunately His Honour, whilst giving a judgment indicating what orders he intended
to make, never formally made orders," Mr Daley told Registrar Gabrielle Drennan.

The non-disclosure issues are one of the grounds of Lodhi's appeal.

Mr Daley said he was uncertain what bearing, if any, the administrative error might
have on the appeal.

Ms Drennan adjourned the matter, inviting all parties to relist for further mention
if they wished.

The appeal hearing is due to begin on November 7.

AAP ajc/wjf/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: LODHI

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