Police to control movement and social media of Islamic State suspect Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif

Police to control movement and social media of Islamic State suspect Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif

A woman once suspected of being a member of the Islamic State terrorist group was communicating with the sons of infamous Adelaide fugitive Rodney Clavell while she was in jail, the Federal Court has heard.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is seeking to impose 21 controls over Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif, who was last month acquitted of being a member of Islamic State.

If granted, the order would be similar to being on parole, allowing authorities to place limitations on her life.

The AFP is seeking to control her employment, social media access — with the exception of Facebook — and will place her on a curfew.

It also wants her banned from driving a heavy vehicle, possessing a firearm and communicating with anyone from Turkey, Syria or Iraq.

The court heard that anti-terrorism police had deemed Ms Abdirahman-Khalif not to pose a risk to the public and a terror attack was “not expected” because she lacked the skills and knowledge.

Commonwealth prosecutor Andrew Berger today told Judge Natalie Charlesworth that evidence was not required to prove Ms Abdirahman-Khalif was an IS member and had planned, or would plan, a terrorist attack.

He said laws were designed to “prevent ‘a’ terrorist act, not ‘her’ terrorist act” and to “protect the public from the threat of a terrorist act”.

Mr Berger told the court that Ms Abdirahman-Khalif had been writing and receiving letters to members of the Clavell family while she was incarcerated in Adelaide.

In June, Joshua and Joel Clavell were shot by officers near the Victorian border while they were under the surveillance of anti-terrorism police.

The court was told when 19-year-old Joel Clavell was shot he told officers “he wanted martyrdom” and made “repeated threats to chop off the police officers’ heads”.

Mr Berger said in August 2019, Nathan Clavell wrote to Ms Abdirahman-Khalif offering her an opportunity to marry Daniel Clavell, the son of notorious South Australian fugitive Rodney Clavell.

Source: ABC