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Revision as of 11:12, 10 May 2013 by Qwerty Binary (talk | contribs) (Fix ref. Clean up.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Faheem Khalid Lodhi (Urdu: فہیم خالد لودھی) (also known as Abu Hamza. b. 1969, Pakistan) is a Pakistani–Australian architect and the first convicted Australian terrorist under new legislation enacted in 2005.
Early life and education
Faheem Khalid Lodhi was born in Pakistan and grew up in Sialkot. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan.
In 1998, Lodhi immigrated to Australia and later obtained Australian citizenship. He attended the University of Sydney, from which earned a Bachelor of Architecture.
Arrest, trial, and aftermath
On 26 October 2003, following an investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, police and ASIO raided his Lakemba, New South Wales home and workplace and discovered evidence of a terrorist plot. He was accused of plotting to bomb the national electricity grid and/or Sydney defence sites in the cause of violent jihad. His possible targets were the national electricity supply system and three Sydney defence installations; the army base Victoria Barracks, the naval base HMAS Penguin, and the army training area Holsworthy Barracks.
During his trial, the court was told he and Willie Brigitte, who was deported in October 2003 for breaching his tourist visa, trained in Pakistan with Lashkar-e-Toiba and had contact using mobile phones registered under false names. The court was also told he helped arrange accommodation for Brigitte when he arrived in Sydney, in May 2003.
At the ruling, Justice Anthony Wheally commented that Lodhi had "the intent of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, namely violent jihad" and to "instil terror into members of the public so that they could never again feel free from the threat of bombing in Australia".
He was convicted by a Supreme Court of New South Wales jury in June 2006 on three terrorism-related offences, namely:
- acting in preparation for a terrorist act, an offence carrying a maximum life sentence;
- seeking information about chemicals capable of making explosives; and,
- possessing a "terrorism manual" and buying two maps of the electricity grid, connected with preparation for a terrorist act.
In August 2006, he was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, with a 15-year non-parole period. He is classified as a high-security "AA" prisoner and will be eligible for parole in 2019.
Personal life
Lodhi is a devout Sunni Muslim and is married to Aysha Hamedd.
See also
References
- ^ David Canter. (2009.) The Faces of Terrorism: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons.
- ^ Wallace, Natasha (19 June 2006). "Lodhi guilty of terror plot". Sydney Morning Herald.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Sydney architect accused of terrorist acts". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2004.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Wallace, Natasha (17 November 2005). "Accused terrorist faces trial for lying to ASIO". Sydney Morning Herald.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Lamont, Leonie (23 August 2006). "Lodhi gets 20-year terror term".
External links
 Alleged militants in the war on terror who have lived in Australia | |
|---|---|
| People listed in italics have died. | |
| Sydney Five |
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| Held in Guantanamo Bay | |
| Alleged al-Qaeda members | |
| 2009 Holsworthy Barracks plot |
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| Others | |
| Currently imprisoned. Released after serving sentence. | |
- Use dmy dates from November 2011
- 1969 births
- Australian architects
- Australian Islamists
- Australian prisoners and detainees
- Australian Sunni Muslims
- Islamist terrorism in Australia
- Living people
- Pakistani emigrants to Australia
- Pakistani people imprisoned on charges of terrorism
- People convicted on terrorism charges
- People from New South Wales
- Prisoners and detainees of the Commonwealth of Australia
- Lashkar-e-Taiba members
- National College of Arts alumni
- University of Sydney alumni