TEN alleged terrorists were on hunger strike in a Victorian prison in protest over a refusal to allow them to pray together. The men, devout Muslims who are being held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day in the maximum security Barwon Prison at Lara, began the hunger strike this week. The 10, arrested in pre-dawn raids in November, are facing charges of being members of a terrorist organisation. Their lawyer, Rob Stary, said they had not been allowed to pray together. He said the men wanted to hold a short prayer service on Friday afternoons. "They just want to be dealt with in the same way as other remand prisoners," Mr Stary said on ABC radio."I understand they don't present as any disciplinary problem or any management problem.
"We said right from the outset that this was for no sinister purpose or political purpose, it's simply an opportunity to pray together."
Mr Stary said he understood that the men were regarded as exemplary prisoners in regard to their conduct and were respectful to the prison staff. He said he was also concerned that they were being held in maximum security. "It's extraordinary, they're unconvicted prisoners, the only other persons of this category are said to be people who are alleged underworld killers," he said. "They're not charged with any offence of violence, they're charged with being members of an unnamed and unspecified organisation."
Mr Stary said he was worried about the health of the men who were prepared to carry out their hunger strike indefinitely. "They've done it of their own initiative, I certainly don't endorse it," he said. "I'm concerned about their well-being, physically and mentally.
"I'd hate to see something serious happen to them, I dread that...but clearly their religious commitment is something of significance to them in a way that perhaps you and I don't understand."
Corrections Victoria Commissioner Kelvin Anderson today said the accused terrorist suspects must remain separated, and that position would not change despite their hunger strike. "Prison authorities have worked closely with Muslim leaders so alleged terrorism suspects have special food, prayer times and places to pray," he said. "Individuals charged with terrorism offences have been separated from each other for security reasons. No religious festival could ever have priority over our risk assessment arrangements.
"Our hand will not be forced by a hunger strike. We will not compromise public safety.
Nine of the men were arrested in Melbourne during coordinated ASIO, New South Wales Police and Victoria Police raids in Sydney and Melbourne on November 8 last year. The 10th man was arrested in Sydney and later extradited to Melbourne. All were charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation.
One, Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 46, was also charged with directing a terrorist organisation. The others are: Ezzit Raad, 23, of Preston; Aimen Joud, 21, of Hoppers Crossing; Fadal Sayadi, 25, of Coburg; Amer Haddara, 26, of Yarraville; Ahmed Raad, 22, of Fawkner; Shane Kent, 28, of Meadow Heights; Abdulla Merhi, 20, of Fawkner; Hany Taha, 21, of Hadfield and Izzydeen Atik, 25, from Williamstown. The men, who have been remanded in custody, were due to reappear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for committal mention on April 11.