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Faheem Khalid Lodhi

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Faheem Khalid Lodhi
Born1969 (age 54–55)
Pakistan
NationalityPakistani–Australian
Alma mater
OccupationArchitect
Criminal statusIn custody
Conviction(s)Guilty on 19 June 2006
Criminal charge
  • Collecting maps of the Australian electricity supply system in preparation of a terrorist act
  • Seeking information on chemical prices for the use of explosives for a terrorist act
  • Possession of a document with information on the manufacture of poisons and bombs in preparation for a terrorist act
Penalty20 years jail with a non-parole period of 15 years

Faheem Khalid Lodhi (Urdu: فہیم خالد لودھی) (also known as Abu Hamza. b. 1969, Pakistan) is a convicted Pakistani–Australian criminal and architect, currently serving an Australian custodial sentence of twenty years, with a non-parole period of fifteen years for conspiring to commit a terrorist act or acts. Lodhi was the first convicted Australian terrorist under amendments made to the Criminal Code Act in May 2003.[1]

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.[2]

In 1998, Lodhi immigrated to Australia and later obtained Australian citizenship.[2] He attended the University of Sydney, from which he earned a Bachelor of Architecture.[2]

Arrest, trial, and aftermath

On 26 October 2003, following an investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, police and ASIO raided Lodhi's Lakemba home and workplace and discovered evidence of a terrorist plot.[3][4] 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;[5] the army base Victoria Barracks, the naval base HMAS Penguin, and the army training area Holsworthy Barracks.[3]

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".[6][7]

He was convicted by a Supreme Court of New South Wales jury on 19 June 2006 on three terrorism-related offences, namely:[3]

  • 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.

The jury found that Lodhi was not guilty of one charge of downloading aerial photographs of Sydney defence sites in preparation of a terror act.[3]

In August 2006, he was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, with a 15-year non-parole period.[8] He is classified as a high-security "AA" prisoner and will be eligible for parole in 2019.[8]

Personal life

Lodhi is a devout Sunni Muslim and is married to Aysha Hamedd.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "An Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes", from ComLaw.gov.au
  2. ^ a b c Canter, David (2009). The Faces of Terrorism: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.
  3. ^ a b c d e Wallace, Natasha (19 June 2006). "Lodhi guilty of terror plot". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ "Sydney architect accused of terrorist acts". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 2004.
  5. ^ Wallace, Natasha (17 November 2005). "Accused terrorist faces trial for lying to ASIO". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. ^ Sales, Leigh (23 August 2006). "Sydney terrorism suspect jailed for 20 years". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  7. ^ "Pakistan-born guilty in jihad plot". 20 June 2006. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013.
  8. ^ a b Lamont, Leonie (23 August 2006). "Lodhi gets 20-year terror term". The Sydney Morning Herald.
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