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| Australian arson suspect named | Australian arson suspect named |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A court has lifted a ban on identifying an arson suspect in Australia's deadly bushfires, despite fears of possible retribution attacks by angry residents. | A court has lifted a ban on identifying an arson suspect in Australia's deadly bushfires, despite fears of possible retribution attacks by angry residents. |
| Prosecutors say Brendan Sokaluk deliberately set a fire in Churchill, Victoria, in which 11 people died. | Prosecutors say Brendan Sokaluk deliberately set a fire in Churchill, Victoria, in which 11 people died. |
| The 39-year-old was not in court to hear the judge lift the suppression order which kept his identity a secret. | The 39-year-old was not in court to hear the judge lift the suppression order which kept his identity a secret. |
| At least 189 people are now known to have died in the dozens of bushfires that swept Victoria earlier this month. | At least 189 people are now known to have died in the dozens of bushfires that swept Victoria earlier this month. |
| Firefighters in the south-eastern state are still battling nine blazes. | Firefighters in the south-eastern state are still battling nine blazes. |
| Police have warned that the death toll could rise further as officers continue to search through the debris of razed houses for victims. | Police have warned that the death toll could rise further as officers continue to search through the debris of razed houses for victims. |
| Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that a national day of mourning will be held on Sunday for all victims of the bushfires. | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that a national day of mourning will be held on Sunday for all victims of the bushfires. |
| Anger and disgust | Anger and disgust |
| Mr Sokaluk, a local man from the Gippsland region, is facing charges of arson causing death and of intentionally starting a bushfire. | Mr Sokaluk, a local man from the Gippsland region, is facing charges of arson causing death and of intentionally starting a bushfire. |
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| Firefighters continue to battle several blazes | |
| Officials have previously said that 21 people were killed in the Churchill fire, but only 11 deaths were cited in court. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy. | |
| He faces a maximum 25-year sentence for the first charge, and 15 years for the second. | He faces a maximum 25-year sentence for the first charge, and 15 years for the second. |
| He was also charged with possessing child pornography, which carries a possible five-year term. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7883668.stm">Should bushfire policy change? | |
| The Melbourne court was packed with journalists and onlookers, but the defendant chose to remain in police protective custody rather than attend. | The Melbourne court was packed with journalists and onlookers, but the defendant chose to remain in police protective custody rather than attend. |
| Mr Sokaluk's defence lawyer told the court that there was an unprecedented level of emotion, anger and disgust at his alleged offences. | Mr Sokaluk's defence lawyer told the court that there was an unprecedented level of emotion, anger and disgust at his alleged offences. |
| She said that even though her client was in protective custody there was a risk from vigilante attacks on him and his family, and asked that his name remain suppressed. | She said that even though her client was in protective custody there was a risk from vigilante attacks on him and his family, and asked that his name remain suppressed. |
| But the judge ruled that his identity was already well-known in his home community and that the suppression order served no practical effect. | But the judge ruled that his identity was already well-known in his home community and that the suppression order served no practical effect. |
| The prosecution has asked for extra time to prepare its case, saying there would be up to 200 witnesses to interview. | The prosecution has asked for extra time to prepare its case, saying there would be up to 200 witnesses to interview. |
| The blaze in Churchill was one of several that prosecutors allege was started deliberately. | The blaze in Churchill was one of several that prosecutors allege was started deliberately. |