Abdul Nacer Benbrika: Convicted terrorist to be supervised over Christmas due to ‘extremist views’

Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika will remain under government supervision for at least another month but with fewer restrictions.

Benbrika was released from prison in December 2023 after serving close to 20 years behind bars for plotting terror attacks in Melbourne.

He was immediately placed under a government supervision order, where he was subject to more than 30 strict conditions including police surveillance and a curfew.

The order was due to expire at 3pm on Thursday but federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus applied in the Victorian Supreme Court to extend the order.

Zoe Maud SC, representing the attorney-general, told the court on Wednesday the extension was necessary to protect the safety of the public.

She referred to a recent psychiatric assessment of Benbrika, which found he still held some extremist views and it would take time for the deradicalisation program to change his core beliefs.

He also had problematic personality traits that would make him susceptible to being influenced or influencing others, Ms Maud said.

“Presently, the potential for violence is well contained but in the context where he benefits from many interventions,” the barrister told the court.

Ms Maud outlined the conditions of Benbrika’s current order, including that he was subject to a curfew, restrictions on his employment, and police monitoring of his devices and internet use.

On the proposed extended order, Benbrika would only have to follow conditions ensuring he participated in psychological and psychiatric treatment, as well as the deradicalisation program he was already undergoing.

Benbrika’s barrister Dan Star KC said the month-long extension was not opposed, although they would contest the making of a more permanent order in 2025.

Justice James Elliott found there were reasonable grounds to extend the supervision order for a further 28 days, noting it was necessary to protect the community.

The order will expire at 3pm on January 16 but Mr Star indicated he would not oppose a further month-long extension at that time.

The parties will return to the Supreme Court on January 14 to formally extend the order again.

Benbrika, now aged in his 60s, was convicted over plots to attack the MCG during the 2005 AFL grand final and Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

In 2009, he was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for directing a terrorist organisation.

His sentence expired in November 2020 but a further three-year detention order was made and he was not released back into the community until December 2023.

Benbrika was immediately placed under the government supervision order with more than 30 strict conditions.