Control order on Melbourne teenager despite terrorism charges being dropped
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Version 0 of 1. An interim control order has been placed on a Melbourne teenager who was accused of planning a bombing on Anzac Day, but later had all terrorism charges against him dropped. The order, sought by the Australian federal police, puts heavy restrictions on Harun Causevic’s movements, requiring him to wear a tracking device 24 hours a day. Related: Dropping of Harun Causevic terrorism charge 'will erode confidence in police' Causevic is not permitted to use mobile phones, computers, or web messaging services such as WhatsApp without prior consent. It is only the second control order to be published since the controversial measures were introduced ten years ago. On Friday Guardian Australia revealed the existence of the other order which, like this one, restricts the mosques and places of worship the subject can attend. Causevic has been prohibited from going “inside, or on the grounds of, any masjid/mosque, or any other place of observance” other than the one specified in the order. Federal court judge Norah Hartnett granted the order last week, and set down a hearing on 2 December to determine whether it would be confirmed. Causevic was charged with terrorism offences in April after high-profile raids, but the charges were dropped in August. His lawyer, Rob Starry, said the case would erode confidence in law enforcement agencies, and his client had been charged “without any real evidence” against him. Control orders are controversial anti-terrorism powers that allow police to restrict the movements and associations of a person. Causevic is also expressly prohibited from contacting six other young men, and cannot attend certain locations including airports with international flights. Causevic is also not permitted to leave the state of Victoria. The order also requires him to “participate in counselling or education relating to your spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing for a period of at least 60 minutes every week”. The AFP has sought four interim control orders since December 2014. At last week’s hearing, the first one open to the public, the court heard a constitutional challenge could be launched in relation to the restrictions on which mosques the person could attend. Lawyers for Causevic declined to comment. |