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Sydney man must have known 'recruits' were going to fight in Syria, court hears Sydney man must have known 'recruits' were going to fight in Syria, court hears
(about 2 months later)
There was “no way” a Sydney man accused of making arrangements for seven men to fight in Syria could have thought they were going for humanitarian work, a court has heard.There was “no way” a Sydney man accused of making arrangements for seven men to fight in Syria could have thought they were going for humanitarian work, a court has heard.
Hamdi Alqudsi’s defence barrister has suggested he could have thought his alleged recruits went to Syria to help citizens in the war-torn country, despite the NSW supreme court hearing intercepted conversations allegedly about border crossings and the Islamist guerilla fighters known as the “mujahideen”.Hamdi Alqudsi’s defence barrister has suggested he could have thought his alleged recruits went to Syria to help citizens in the war-torn country, despite the NSW supreme court hearing intercepted conversations allegedly about border crossings and the Islamist guerilla fighters known as the “mujahideen”.
“The mujahideen are not charity workers, they’re not going there to help orphaned children,” crown prosecutor David Staehli SC said during his closing address in the court sitting in Parramatta on Wednesday.“The mujahideen are not charity workers, they’re not going there to help orphaned children,” crown prosecutor David Staehli SC said during his closing address in the court sitting in Parramatta on Wednesday.
Related: Armed combat not the only reason to go to Syria, trial of alleged jihadi recruiter told
“They’re going there to kill or be killed.”“They’re going there to kill or be killed.”
Alqudsi, 42, allegedly helped organise flights to Turkey and made border crossing arrangements with well-known Australian fighter Mohammad Ali Baryalei.Alqudsi, 42, allegedly helped organise flights to Turkey and made border crossing arrangements with well-known Australian fighter Mohammad Ali Baryalei.
The court previously heard phone intercepts of the pair talking allegedly about Baryalei meeting people from “The [Islamic] State” and the possibility of taking all the “brothers” with him when he changed allegiances.The court previously heard phone intercepts of the pair talking allegedly about Baryalei meeting people from “The [Islamic] State” and the possibility of taking all the “brothers” with him when he changed allegiances.
Staehli said Alqudsi’s joy at the news was “extreme”.Staehli said Alqudsi’s joy at the news was “extreme”.
“Mr Alqudsi knew what was going on was Abu Omar [Baryalei] was engaging in the war in Syria,” he said.“Mr Alqudsi knew what was going on was Abu Omar [Baryalei] was engaging in the war in Syria,” he said.
“Our position is ... there is no way you would find it open to you that those calls [throughout the trial] suggest anything about a humanitarian purpose.”“Our position is ... there is no way you would find it open to you that those calls [throughout the trial] suggest anything about a humanitarian purpose.”
Photos of men with guns, ASIO information about a cancelled passport and jihadi articles were found at two homes in Sydney’s west and southwest occupied by Alqudsi.Photos of men with guns, ASIO information about a cancelled passport and jihadi articles were found at two homes in Sydney’s west and southwest occupied by Alqudsi.
The trial continues.The trial continues.