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Sydney siege inquest: gunman believed he was targeted because of Schapelle Corby – rolling report Sydney siege inquest: gunman believed he was targeted because of Schapelle Corby – rolling report
(35 minutes later)
12.41pm AEST03:41
Catherine Wood, the legal and governance manager for Amnesty International in 2010 is now on the stand. She met with Monis once, in August 2010.
When she met Monis he was referring to himself as sheik Haron. Wood interviewed Monis after he had written to Amnesty International claiming his human rights were being violated.
During the interview Monis did not shake Wood’s hand and did not look at her at all. He addressed all his comments to the male volunteer case worker.
One of the things that is memorable about this interview is he didn’t look at me once...this was noticeable because I was clearly the one conducting the interview.
Wood was asking the questions but Monis only addressed the male case worker.
That’s something that stuck in my mind, i don’t remember everyone I have interviews with.
Monis brought in with him a bundle of documents, consisting of statements Monis made from the Downing centre and print outs from websites.
Ostensibly he came to talk to us about death threats he had received in relation to the letters he had written to the families of the soldiers who had died in Afghanistan. He had the actual emails with him...then he talked about other things.
Monis complained about, among other things:
Wood says:
It was very much like he was standing on a soap box, he was painting himself as a noble victim...it was a story of victimhood and persecution. It was non-stop.
12.28pm AEST03:28
John Valastro received a text message from Man Haron Monis threatening a protest at the airport after he gave him a tour of the customs area.
Valastro said when he reviewed CCTV of Monis’ interactions with customs officials he was “almost goading” them.
His behaviour was almost goading people to come towards him. He would stand in a queue then move to another queue then be looking at a customs officer almost as if to say “come and talk to me”.
Monis texted Valastro after the meeting saying his trip was good but he continued to be treated badly by customs official. He wrote in the text message:
I am preparing myself for protest in front of airport, I will chain my legs and hands, I hope God helps me in this movement which is for justice.
Valastro finishes his evidence saying he did not believe Monis was a religious leader as he was too erratic.
12.14pm AEST03:14
Back to John Valastro’s evidence on the stand. He was the director of the passenger branch of Australian customs and border protection service and dealt with Man Haron Monis’ complaints about customs in 2005.
He says he explained to Monis that customs officers were just doing their jobs.
I observed his threshold for questions was quite low. Any time a customs officer asked a personal question it would seem to generate an excessive response.
The sorts of questions customs officers ask are “where have you come from today” and “where are you travelling to?”
Valastro said Monis had an emotional effect from travelling to and from New Zealand. He said Monis said he was being persecuted by customs official in Australia and New Zealand.
Valastro took Monis on a tour to show him customs officials doing their jobs.
He says his impression was that Monis found it difficult to accept the reality of the situation.
I felt I was constantly having to enforce over and over again how routine this was and his reaction was part of the problem, he was triggering increased interest of officials because of his agitation. I was also weary of his claims of persecution. I thought he was emotionally challenged. He ranged from being anxious to being evasive to being anxious.
Updated at 12.43pm AEST
12.03pm AEST03:0312.03pm AEST03:03
We now have John Valastro on the stand. He was the director of the passenger branch of Australian customs and border protection service and dealt with Man Haron Monis’ complaints about customs in 2005.We now have John Valastro on the stand. He was the director of the passenger branch of Australian customs and border protection service and dealt with Man Haron Monis’ complaints about customs in 2005.
They are discussing the procedures which take place when a member of the public makes a complaint against customs officers.They are discussing the procedures which take place when a member of the public makes a complaint against customs officers.
My colleague Michael Safi has generously expanded on the evidence we heard earlier about Monis complainng he was being treated like Abu Bakar Bashir and Schapelle Corby:My colleague Michael Safi has generously expanded on the evidence we heard earlier about Monis complainng he was being treated like Abu Bakar Bashir and Schapelle Corby:
We’ve been given another glimpse this morning of just how unmoored from reality Man Haron Monis could be. Nearly a decade before the Sydney siege the gunman became obsessed with the idea he was the target of a vendetta by customs officials.We’ve been given another glimpse this morning of just how unmoored from reality Man Haron Monis could be. Nearly a decade before the Sydney siege the gunman became obsessed with the idea he was the target of a vendetta by customs officials.
His solicitor, Franklin Arguedas, has told the inquest that Monis became incensed by the number of times he was being stopped for random checks at the airport. Arguedas said Monis “drew a connection between his treatment and the treatment of Corby and Abu Bakar Bashir”.His solicitor, Franklin Arguedas, has told the inquest that Monis became incensed by the number of times he was being stopped for random checks at the airport. Arguedas said Monis “drew a connection between his treatment and the treatment of Corby and Abu Bakar Bashir”.
The idea, as we can construct it, is that Monis saw the relatively light sentence given to Bashir, a mastermind of the Bali Bombing, and the harsh 20-year term given the the drug smuggler Corby. He believed that Customs was looking to get revenge by “wantonly targeting Muslim clerics [such as Monis] with the intention to give them a hard time”, Arguedas said.The idea, as we can construct it, is that Monis saw the relatively light sentence given to Bashir, a mastermind of the Bali Bombing, and the harsh 20-year term given the the drug smuggler Corby. He believed that Customs was looking to get revenge by “wantonly targeting Muslim clerics [such as Monis] with the intention to give them a hard time”, Arguedas said.
11.33am AEST02:3311.33am AEST02:33
With that Franklin Arguedas’s evidence is done. We are adjourned for 10 minutes.With that Franklin Arguedas’s evidence is done. We are adjourned for 10 minutes.
11.23am AEST02:2311.23am AEST02:23
So what was Monis’ motivation? Franklin Arguedas said he wanted to be treated like the prime minister.So what was Monis’ motivation? Franklin Arguedas said he wanted to be treated like the prime minister.
I just thought this guy wanted to be someone, he wanted to be a big person, and whenever he arrived [in the country] he didn’t want to have to clear immigration, he wanted to be treated like the prime minister. He wanted to come in and out of the country like you come in and out of your house.I just thought this guy wanted to be someone, he wanted to be a big person, and whenever he arrived [in the country] he didn’t want to have to clear immigration, he wanted to be treated like the prime minister. He wanted to come in and out of the country like you come in and out of your house.
I don’t know whether i would have thought he was insane. That never entered my mind. I just thought he was a difficult person.I don’t know whether i would have thought he was insane. That never entered my mind. I just thought he was a difficult person.
When solicitor Arguedas suggested Monis seek therapy:When solicitor Arguedas suggested Monis seek therapy:
He got angry and told me not to speak to him like that. I could see the anger on his face.He got angry and told me not to speak to him like that. I could see the anger on his face.
Monis ended up owing Arguedas close to $1,500 which was never paid. When Arguedas tried to chase the debt Monis threatened him.Monis ended up owing Arguedas close to $1,500 which was never paid. When Arguedas tried to chase the debt Monis threatened him.
11.06am AEST02:0611.06am AEST02:06
In 2005 Franklin Arguedas accompanied Monis to Sydney airport for a meeting with customs officers over Monis’ complaints he was being targeted whenever he went to the airport.In 2005 Franklin Arguedas accompanied Monis to Sydney airport for a meeting with customs officers over Monis’ complaints he was being targeted whenever he went to the airport.
During the meeting he said he was being set up or framed by the Australian government.During the meeting he said he was being set up or framed by the Australian government.
He would say he had an inkling, a feeling that he was being set up by the Australian government. He would not really elaborate, it was something that he was churning in his mind.He would say he had an inkling, a feeling that he was being set up by the Australian government. He would not really elaborate, it was something that he was churning in his mind.
The customs officers wanted to finalise the problem and have a meeting to explain they did not target people, they picked them randomly. During the meeting, Monis mostly sat quietly occasionally asking questions.The customs officers wanted to finalise the problem and have a meeting to explain they did not target people, they picked them randomly. During the meeting, Monis mostly sat quietly occasionally asking questions.
Arguedas thought the meeting went well and Monis would be pleased, but he soon complained again and Arguedas suggested counselling.Arguedas thought the meeting went well and Monis would be pleased, but he soon complained again and Arguedas suggested counselling.
He said ‘are you telling me I’m mad?’ I said ‘not at all, I’m saying perhaps you might benefit from seeking counselling somewhere. They may show you the western mind operates in a different way.”He said ‘are you telling me I’m mad?’ I said ‘not at all, I’m saying perhaps you might benefit from seeking counselling somewhere. They may show you the western mind operates in a different way.”
In 2005 Monis was complaining he couldn’t sleep, that he was being harassed by the system. Monis also wrote letters drawing connections between his treatment and that of Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir and convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.In 2005 Monis was complaining he couldn’t sleep, that he was being harassed by the system. Monis also wrote letters drawing connections between his treatment and that of Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir and convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.
He said Australian officials were “wantonly targeting Muslim clerics with the intention to give them a hard time”.He said Australian officials were “wantonly targeting Muslim clerics with the intention to give them a hard time”.
10.47am AEST01:4710.47am AEST01:47
Arguedas said Monis complained about being “picked” for security searches at airports. He requested a letter be sent to customs about it.Arguedas said Monis complained about being “picked” for security searches at airports. He requested a letter be sent to customs about it.
He believed that he was being picked on [by customs officials]. That it wasn’t a random search, it was a targeted search.He believed that he was being picked on [by customs officials]. That it wasn’t a random search, it was a targeted search.
Arguedas was uncomfortable with how Monis wanted the letter to be worded to customs.Arguedas was uncomfortable with how Monis wanted the letter to be worded to customs.
The inquest has heard Monis flew to New Zealand one morning and came back on the same afternoon in an effort to “bamboozle” customs.The inquest has heard Monis flew to New Zealand one morning and came back on the same afternoon in an effort to “bamboozle” customs.
Updated at 10.51am AESTUpdated at 10.51am AEST
10.43am AEST01:4310.43am AEST01:43
Franklin Arguedas, a solicitor for Monis in relation to his immigration application and customs complaints, has taken the stand.Franklin Arguedas, a solicitor for Monis in relation to his immigration application and customs complaints, has taken the stand.
He took on Monis as a client in 2004 and says his office had difficulty getting Monis to show identification and give his address.He took on Monis as a client in 2004 and says his office had difficulty getting Monis to show identification and give his address.
Monis told Arguedas that he moved around a lot and couldn’t provide an address. He said the reason he changed his name so much was that he “previously was a very high officer of the Iranian government”.Monis told Arguedas that he moved around a lot and couldn’t provide an address. He said the reason he changed his name so much was that he “previously was a very high officer of the Iranian government”.
He went on to elaborate that he would be taken out of the country by helicopter to a different nation without a passport. Either the American government or the Australian government would lift him from I’m assuming here and he would be giving information [to those governments].He went on to elaborate that he would be taken out of the country by helicopter to a different nation without a passport. Either the American government or the Australian government would lift him from I’m assuming here and he would be giving information [to those governments].
Monis also tried to get Arguedas to take part in a scheme that he said would earn Monis between $1m and $2m.Monis also tried to get Arguedas to take part in a scheme that he said would earn Monis between $1m and $2m.
He said he knew the whereabouts of an individual wanted by Israel but that he could not be the frontman, he hd to work behind me because of his identity again...he wanted me to arrange something, how the ransom would be paid, and that we would share that amount of money... I thought he was harmless, I thought maybe he would have a scheme like these Nigerian emails people get from time to time. The other thought was “I don’t want to get involved in this type of thing..it’s not worth my risk”.He said he knew the whereabouts of an individual wanted by Israel but that he could not be the frontman, he hd to work behind me because of his identity again...he wanted me to arrange something, how the ransom would be paid, and that we would share that amount of money... I thought he was harmless, I thought maybe he would have a scheme like these Nigerian emails people get from time to time. The other thought was “I don’t want to get involved in this type of thing..it’s not worth my risk”.
Arguedas said he had lunch with Monis two to three times a month for 18 months. He said he once tried to meet Monis in Lakemba but Monis did not want to go there. At the time Monis told Arguedas he was an Ayatollah and would dress in Muslim clerical clothing.Arguedas said he had lunch with Monis two to three times a month for 18 months. He said he once tried to meet Monis in Lakemba but Monis did not want to go there. At the time Monis told Arguedas he was an Ayatollah and would dress in Muslim clerical clothing.
10.30am AEST01:3010.30am AEST01:30
Hassan Zoabi, a former boss of Man Haron Monis, is continuing his evidence. He gave a reference for Monis in the 1990s saying Monis was a “pleasant individual”.Hassan Zoabi, a former boss of Man Haron Monis, is continuing his evidence. He gave a reference for Monis in the 1990s saying Monis was a “pleasant individual”.
Zoabi had worked with Monis for two years and says he did not hesitate to provide the reference which Monis said was to renew his security licence.Zoabi had worked with Monis for two years and says he did not hesitate to provide the reference which Monis said was to renew his security licence.
The handwritten reference said Monis was “very honest and trustworthy... a pleasant individual who would go out of his way to help others”.The handwritten reference said Monis was “very honest and trustworthy... a pleasant individual who would go out of his way to help others”.
Zoabi says Monis would ask lots of questions about Australia’s legal system and how the government worked.Zoabi says Monis would ask lots of questions about Australia’s legal system and how the government worked.
He was always thinking...he very rarely [laughed or joked], I would really have to go out of my way and say a good joke for him to crack a smile.He was always thinking...he very rarely [laughed or joked], I would really have to go out of my way and say a good joke for him to crack a smile.
Zoabi did not see Monis again after leaving his job in 1999. He said when he saw footage of him during the Sydney siege he thought he was him but because Monis was using a different name in the 1990s Zoabi thought he was just “being crazy”.Zoabi did not see Monis again after leaving his job in 1999. He said when he saw footage of him during the Sydney siege he thought he was him but because Monis was using a different name in the 1990s Zoabi thought he was just “being crazy”.
10.21am AEST01:2110.21am AEST01:21
Hassan Zoabi has taken the stand. He is currently the centre manager for shopping centre in Sydney area and in 1997 was a caretaker manager for another shopping centre.Hassan Zoabi has taken the stand. He is currently the centre manager for shopping centre in Sydney area and in 1997 was a caretaker manager for another shopping centre.
It was in 1997 that he met Man Haron Monis. Zoabi needed to hire what’s known as a “static guard”, someone who observes what’s going on and wears a uniform. As Zoabi put it “someone the public can see”.It was in 1997 that he met Man Haron Monis. Zoabi needed to hire what’s known as a “static guard”, someone who observes what’s going on and wears a uniform. As Zoabi put it “someone the public can see”.
Zoabi had daily contact with Monis over two years and had many conversations. Zoabi says Monis’ manners were “impeccable”. On what Monis would tell Zoabi:Zoabi had daily contact with Monis over two years and had many conversations. Zoabi says Monis’ manners were “impeccable”. On what Monis would tell Zoabi:
That he was from Iran and that he was well connected, that he was related to people that were rulers in Iran at the time. He said he was the son-in-law of one of them. He would say Iran is going to make headlines on the world stage soon.That he was from Iran and that he was well connected, that he was related to people that were rulers in Iran at the time. He said he was the son-in-law of one of them. He would say Iran is going to make headlines on the world stage soon.
Zoabi says Monis did not specify how Iran was going to make headlines.Zoabi says Monis did not specify how Iran was going to make headlines.
Monis initially tried to discuss religion but then realised Zoabi wasn’t interested in that topic.Monis initially tried to discuss religion but then realised Zoabi wasn’t interested in that topic.
He did mention he was attached to the clergy in Iran and that he prayed five times a day. The fact he had a beard at the time indicated to me that he was religious.He did mention he was attached to the clergy in Iran and that he prayed five times a day. The fact he had a beard at the time indicated to me that he was religious.
Zoabi says he knew Monis was a Shia Muslim and Zoabi himself is a Sunni, but back then “it was not an issue”, Zoabi says “at the time a Muslim was a Muslim”.Zoabi says he knew Monis was a Shia Muslim and Zoabi himself is a Sunni, but back then “it was not an issue”, Zoabi says “at the time a Muslim was a Muslim”.
Zoabi says Monis was clean, tidy, punctual and well mannered.Zoabi says Monis was clean, tidy, punctual and well mannered.
He was impeccable, he did it in a polite manner. He had that thing about him you knew he was polite. He was softly spoken, he did his job very well.He was impeccable, he did it in a polite manner. He had that thing about him you knew he was polite. He was softly spoken, he did his job very well.
Zoabi says he knew Monis was married in Iran but he did not know he had any children.Zoabi says he knew Monis was married in Iran but he did not know he had any children.
10.05am AEST01:0510.05am AEST01:05
I have some details on some of the witnesses we will be hearing from today:I have some details on some of the witnesses we will be hearing from today:
Hassan Zoabi - he was a referee for Monis for security guard work in 1999.Hassan Zoabi - he was a referee for Monis for security guard work in 1999.
Franklin Arguedas - solicitor for Monis in relation to immigration application and customs complaint.Franklin Arguedas - solicitor for Monis in relation to immigration application and customs complaint.
John Valastro - director of passenger branch of Australian customs and border protection service who dealt with Monis complaints about customs in 2005.John Valastro - director of passenger branch of Australian customs and border protection service who dealt with Monis complaints about customs in 2005.
Robert Mills - appearing for Salvation Army to speak about Monis community service between april 2013 and april 2014.Robert Mills - appearing for Salvation Army to speak about Monis community service between april 2013 and april 2014.
Catherine Wood - legal and governance manager for Amnesty International, she saw Monis in August 2010.Catherine Wood - legal and governance manager for Amnesty International, she saw Monis in August 2010.
10.00am AEST01:0010.00am AEST01:00
Good morning, you join us for the second day of the latest segment of the coronial inquest into the deaths of Sydney siege hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson and gunman Man Haron Monis (phew, take a breath after that sentence).Good morning, you join us for the second day of the latest segment of the coronial inquest into the deaths of Sydney siege hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson and gunman Man Haron Monis (phew, take a breath after that sentence).
This segment is focused on Monis, his life and what his possible motivations for the siege were. This also comes back to two of the fundamental questions - could the siege have been prevented? And, was it a terrorist attack?This segment is focused on Monis, his life and what his possible motivations for the siege were. This also comes back to two of the fundamental questions - could the siege have been prevented? And, was it a terrorist attack?
The inquest is overseen by coroner Michael Barnes and yesterday counsel assisting Jeremy Gormly, SC, and junior counsel assisting, Sophie Callan, delivered their opening statement.The inquest is overseen by coroner Michael Barnes and yesterday counsel assisting Jeremy Gormly, SC, and junior counsel assisting, Sophie Callan, delivered their opening statement.
We learned Monis briefly tried to join the bikie gang the Rebels - members labelled him “weird” - and he claimed he was an Iranian spy when seeking asylum in Australia in 1996. You can read Michael Safi’s report on yesterday’s hearing here.We learned Monis briefly tried to join the bikie gang the Rebels - members labelled him “weird” - and he claimed he was an Iranian spy when seeking asylum in Australia in 1996. You can read Michael Safi’s report on yesterday’s hearing here.
Safi and I have also recorded a brief (10 minute) podcast on the first day, and we’ll be aiming to do that each day. It is a conversation about what struck us about evidence on the day, where the inquest may be heading and the questions raised. It’s called Three Down, and you can find it here. I’m told it also might be up on iTunes soon.Safi and I have also recorded a brief (10 minute) podcast on the first day, and we’ll be aiming to do that each day. It is a conversation about what struck us about evidence on the day, where the inquest may be heading and the questions raised. It’s called Three Down, and you can find it here. I’m told it also might be up on iTunes soon.
Today we are set to hear from six witnesses, primarily immigration officials who dealt with Monis and people who worked with him in his early years in Australia.Today we are set to hear from six witnesses, primarily immigration officials who dealt with Monis and people who worked with him in his early years in Australia.