A violent offender who tattooed Islamic State on his arm has won his fight to go unchecked upon his release from prison later this year, even though a judge says he’s a ‘dangerous menace’ who’s likely to reoffend.
The State of NSW on Thursday failed in its Supreme Court bid to have Issam Alam placed on a three-year supervision order under the Terrorism High Risk Offenders (THRO) Act when he is let out of jail.
Justice Helen Wilson said Alam, who has been in custody for most of the last decade and has a long criminal history, is ‘highly likely’ to reoffend and posed a risk to the community.
A violent offender who tattooed Islamic State on his arm has won his fight to go unchecked upon his release from prison later this year, even though a judge says he’s a ‘dangerous menace’ who’s likely to reoffend. An ISIS flag is pictured
However, it couldn’t be proven that he was probable to commit a terrorism offence, she said, and dismissed the state’s application.
‘Whilst I think it is highly likely that the defendant will continue to engage in criminal conduct when released to the community, to the jeopardy of others, I am not able to conclude that he may pose an unacceptable risk to the community by engaging in the commission of a serious terrorism offence,’ Justice Wilson said.
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said he was seeking advice and considering appealing the decision.
‘NSW makes no apology for having the toughest post-sentence detention and supervision laws in Australia,’ he said.
The State Parole Authority is scheduled to consider Alam’s release on parole next week.
His two-year sentence for leading police on a car pursuit, a string of driving offences and assaulting a prison officer, will expire on May 26 when he must be let out.
The state’s case was based on Alam’s long criminal history and what it said were his links to Islamic State and violent extremist ideologies.
Alam disavowed having links to terrorism despite having ‘Da’ish’ or ‘Daesh’ – a name used to commonly refer to Islamic State – tattooed on his right forearm in Arabic script.
He told a psychologist he got the tattoo ‘after a dare from a friend’ and had since altered the D to an R so it no longer had the same meaning.
In December 2018, police received a photograph of Alam with a raised index finger – a gesture known as ‘tawhid’ or ‘oneness of God’ – which has been co-opted by violent jihadists.
He is also a known friend of terrorist Talal Alameddin, who is serving a 14-year sentence for providing the gun used to kill NSW Police employee Curtis Cheng.
However, Alam stated they were just friends and had never discussed ideology or politics.
The court heard details of the western Sydney man’s lengthy criminal history which included being jailed in 2010 after his fourth conviction for driving while disqualified.
He was also sent to prison for the same offence on another three occasions in 2016 and 2017.
He received further jail terms for firearm offences in 2012, assault in 2013 and stalking and intimidation charges in 2016.
Four months later, he had his sentence extended for three counts of common assault for throwing milk cartons full of human waste on custodial officers.
While locked up, he was accused of threatening to rape and behead a female corrections staff member after he was one of several inmates who discovered her address.
Justice Wilson said Alam was ‘highly likely to commit crime, and even violent crime, if released from prison without a regime of close supervision.’
She also described him as a ‘dangerous menace’ to police and prison authorities and his ability to acquire firearms was ‘deeply troubling, and presents as a significant cause for concern’.
However, she said it wasn’t able to be proven that he was a high risk of committing a terrorism offence.
Source: dailymail UK
