NSW: Dock glass to go at terrorism-related trial of nine men

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
NSW: Dock glass to go at terrorism-related trial of nine men

EDS: NO LINK CAN BE MADE WITH THE CURRENT MELBOURNE TERRORISM-RELATED TRIAL.

SYDNEY, Aug 26 AAP - Nine men facing terrorism-related charges may not receive a fair
trial in Sydney if a fixed glass screen remains in front of the dock, a judge has ruled.

In the NSW Supreme Court today, Justice Anthony Whealy said he proposed to direct the
glass be removed for the trial at the new, high-security complex at Parramatta, in Sydney's
west.

Since February, the judge has presided over legal arguments relating to the upcoming
trial, with a jury expected to be empanelled later this year.

Lawyers for the men applied for the glass screen to be removed, expressing concern
it created a "highly prejudicial impression".

Justice Whealy concluded the fixed screen would make it more difficult for the accused
to get a fair trial.

"The screen plainly separates them from the jury and everybody else in the courtroom," he said.

He also noted the screen created problems when the lawyers needed to communicate with
their clients.

Omar Baladjam, Khaled Cheikho, Moustafa Cheikho, Mohamed Ali Elomar, Abdul Rakib Hasan,
Mohammed Omar Jamal, Mirsad Mulahalilovic, Khaled Sharrouf and Mazen Touma have pleaded
not guilty to conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist act or acts.

AAP mss/evt/ldj/cdh

KEYWORD: TERROR NSW

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