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Preacher Junaid Thorne jailed under highest security classification Preacher Junaid Thorne jailed under highest security classification
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A controversial preacher jailed for flying under a false name is being held at Goulburn’s supermax prison in segregation under the highest security classification in New South Wales.A controversial preacher jailed for flying under a false name is being held at Goulburn’s supermax prison in segregation under the highest security classification in New South Wales.
Junaid Thorne, 26, was last week sentenced to eight months’ prison, with a minimum four months behind bars, for using false ID to obtain an airline ticket and flying under a false name.Junaid Thorne, 26, was last week sentenced to eight months’ prison, with a minimum four months behind bars, for using false ID to obtain an airline ticket and flying under a false name.
Thorne argued he flew under the name Prince Bhopal to avoid media attention and leave Western Australia “incognito” after receiving death threats.Thorne argued he flew under the name Prince Bhopal to avoid media attention and leave Western Australia “incognito” after receiving death threats.
The two other men involved in the scheme, Omar Issak and Mostafa Shiddiquzzaman, escaped jail.The two other men involved in the scheme, Omar Issak and Mostafa Shiddiquzzaman, escaped jail.
Related: Junaid Thorne has sentence for flying under false name cut by a monthRelated: Junaid Thorne has sentence for flying under false name cut by a month
Thorne’s barrister, Wayne Flynn, confirmed on Friday the Noongar man had been classified AA – the state’s most secure classification, reserved for terrorism offenders – and moved to Goulburn’s supermax prison.Thorne’s barrister, Wayne Flynn, confirmed on Friday the Noongar man had been classified AA – the state’s most secure classification, reserved for terrorism offenders – and moved to Goulburn’s supermax prison.
“I feel that it is mistreatment to put somebody such as Junaid in supermax,” Flynn told Guardian Australia. “I feel angry and his community is entitled to feel angry at his treatment by correctives.”“I feel that it is mistreatment to put somebody such as Junaid in supermax,” Flynn told Guardian Australia. “I feel angry and his community is entitled to feel angry at his treatment by correctives.”
Community activist Lydia Shelly, who was Thorne’s solicitor, said her client’s placement in supermax was “unjust”. Community advocate and lawyer Lydia Shelly, who was Thorne’s solicitor, said her client’s placement in supermax was “unjust”.
“There is something wrong with the system when a young Aboriginal man, who was recently married and whose wife is pregnant with their first child, who is convicted for the first time of a non-violent offence and sentenced to less than four months’ imprisonment, ends up in supermax,” she said.“There is something wrong with the system when a young Aboriginal man, who was recently married and whose wife is pregnant with their first child, who is convicted for the first time of a non-violent offence and sentenced to less than four months’ imprisonment, ends up in supermax,” she said.
“In supermax, access to your legal representatives are difficult, the sheer geographical isolation and expenses for family members to travel to see you add an element of financial pressure. Your time with other inmates is restricted.”“In supermax, access to your legal representatives are difficult, the sheer geographical isolation and expenses for family members to travel to see you add an element of financial pressure. Your time with other inmates is restricted.”
Supporters of Thorne, who have vented their anger on social media, had “a right to feel aggrieved, to feel like this is unjust, because it is”, she said.Supporters of Thorne, who have vented their anger on social media, had “a right to feel aggrieved, to feel like this is unjust, because it is”, she said.
Thorne, a first-time offender, is the first person in New South Wales to be jailed for the aviation offences. He will be eligible for release in December.Thorne, a first-time offender, is the first person in New South Wales to be jailed for the aviation offences. He will be eligible for release in December.
His sentence was reduced by one month on appeal, despite an offer by associate professor Anne Aly, an expert in countering violent extremism, to connect Thorne with mentoring and counselling services should he be released.His sentence was reduced by one month on appeal, despite an offer by associate professor Anne Aly, an expert in countering violent extremism, to connect Thorne with mentoring and counselling services should he be released.
A spokesman for Corrective Services NSW declined to comment on Thorne’s case, but said an AA classification was made “for reasons of national security”.A spokesman for Corrective Services NSW declined to comment on Thorne’s case, but said an AA classification was made “for reasons of national security”.
“This follows a risk assessment based on a wider range of factors than simply the offence for which the inmate was convicted or the length of their sentence,” he said.“This follows a risk assessment based on a wider range of factors than simply the offence for which the inmate was convicted or the length of their sentence,” he said.
Thorne courted controversy in January for his posts on social media seemingly justifying the Charlie Hebdo killings, and has attracted Asio attention.Thorne courted controversy in January for his posts on social media seemingly justifying the Charlie Hebdo killings, and has attracted Asio attention.
He has also lectured at the Al-Furqan centre in Melbourne and the Al-Risalah centre Sydney, both of which have been linked to Australians fighting with Islamic State and are now closed.He has also lectured at the Al-Furqan centre in Melbourne and the Al-Risalah centre Sydney, both of which have been linked to Australians fighting with Islamic State and are now closed.
He was born in Western Australia but moved to Saudi Arabia aged 10. His brother, Shayan, was jailed by Saudi Arabian authorities for allegedly possessing terrorist literature.He was born in Western Australia but moved to Saudi Arabia aged 10. His brother, Shayan, was jailed by Saudi Arabian authorities for allegedly possessing terrorist literature.
Thorne was also imprisoned there in early 2013 for protesting against his brother’s detention.Thorne was also imprisoned there in early 2013 for protesting against his brother’s detention.
Both men were eventually deported to Australia after lobbying by their mother and diplomatic appeals by the Australian government.Both men were eventually deported to Australia after lobbying by their mother and diplomatic appeals by the Australian government.