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Hicks granted end to restrictions | Hicks granted end to restrictions |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Australian police have said they will not seek to extend an order limiting the movements of former Guantanamo Bay inmate and terror convict David Hicks. | Australian police have said they will not seek to extend an order limiting the movements of former Guantanamo Bay inmate and terror convict David Hicks. |
The move came just hours after Hicks spoke publicly for the first time to make a video appeal to be allowed to "get on with my life". | The move came just hours after Hicks spoke publicly for the first time to make a video appeal to be allowed to "get on with my life". |
Hicks left prison last December after pleading guilty to terrorism charges before a US military tribunal. | Hicks left prison last December after pleading guilty to terrorism charges before a US military tribunal. |
But since then his communications and movements have been tightly restricted. | But since then his communications and movements have been tightly restricted. |
Under the so-called "control order", Hicks is subject to a midnight-to-dawn curfew, has restrictions placed on his travel and has to report to the police twice a week. | Under the so-called "control order", Hicks is subject to a midnight-to-dawn curfew, has restrictions placed on his travel and has to report to the police twice a week. |
He cannot use any telephone or internet account not approved by police, and faces jail if he flouts those restrictions. | He cannot use any telephone or internet account not approved by police, and faces jail if he flouts those restrictions. |
'Want to rebuild' | 'Want to rebuild' |
This was the first time that Hicks had broken a self-imposed public silence. | This was the first time that Hicks had broken a self-imposed public silence. |
Hicks makes his appeal before the restrictions were lifted | |
In a video message organised by the Australian rights group GetUp, the former kangaroo skinner said he had been "living under restrictions that control my life". | In a video message organised by the Australian rights group GetUp, the former kangaroo skinner said he had been "living under restrictions that control my life". |
He said: "I thought that I'd be able to start getting on with rebuilding my life after my control order expires this December, but I'm concerned that the AFP [Australian Federal Police] will recommend the attorney general imposes a new control order. | |
"I do not know what the future holds. But what I do know is that until the control order is lifted, I will not be able to get on with my life. That is why I'm asking for your help once again." | "I do not know what the future holds. But what I do know is that until the control order is lifted, I will not be able to get on with my life. That is why I'm asking for your help once again." |
Within hours, the BBC's Nick Bryant reports, the AFP granted his wish. | Within hours, the BBC's Nick Bryant reports, the AFP granted his wish. |
"Following extensive consultation with a number of agencies, the AFP has decided it will not be seeking a further control order in respect of Mr Hicks," said the AFP in a statement. | "Following extensive consultation with a number of agencies, the AFP has decided it will not be seeking a further control order in respect of Mr Hicks," said the AFP in a statement. |
The 33-year-old will now become a completely free man for the first time since he was captured in Afghanistan seven years ago, our correspondent says. | The 33-year-old will now become a completely free man for the first time since he was captured in Afghanistan seven years ago, our correspondent says. |
Hicks was captured in 2001 in Afghanistan, and spent five years in the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. | Hicks was captured in 2001 in Afghanistan, and spent five years in the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. |
He was returned to Australia as part of an agreement in which he admitted supporting terrorism, but Australia's top legal body criticised the deal as a "charade". | He was returned to Australia as part of an agreement in which he admitted supporting terrorism, but Australia's top legal body criticised the deal as a "charade". |
He said he is recovering still from his ordeal at Guantanamo Bay and is not ready yet to tell his story. | He said he is recovering still from his ordeal at Guantanamo Bay and is not ready yet to tell his story. |
But he has said he will do so. | But he has said he will do so. |
Before the US military tribunal, Hicks admitted to training with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, where he was captured in 2001, and meeting its leader, Osama Bin Laden. | Before the US military tribunal, Hicks admitted to training with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, where he was captured in 2001, and meeting its leader, Osama Bin Laden. |