FORMER Qantas baggage handler and terror suspect Bilal Khazal may have been working as an informant for Australia's leading spy agency for more than a decade. Mr Khazal, who is on bail awaiting committal for trial over terrorism-related offences, might still be an "ASIO asset", according to previously unreported court documents. In his bail hearing last June, NSW Supreme Court judge Greg James noted that Mr Khazal had co-operated with ASIO and the Australian Federal Police over a period of 11 or 12 years. In particular, he had given them information about "those who profess the same faith as he does and who might have extreme views in support of that faith". "He has continued to co-operate and assist," Judge James told the court. Federal prosecutors did not oppose the original bail application.The claims, which are contained in The Bulletin magazine, were dismissed last night by Mr Khazal's lawyer. Adam Houda said it was a "laughable suggestion" that Mr Khazal had been actively working for ASIO, the AFP or any security agency. "It's unbelievable. Utter crap," he told The Australian. "I don't know where they (The Bulletin) get their information from, but I am privy to all the confidential documentation and I can tell you it's just not true."
Mr Khazal, 34, had been interrogated many times by ASIO in recent years and was always "co-operative" when interviewed, Mr Houda said. But that made him a suspect, not an informant, "They've put the wrong label on him," he said. However, Mr Houda admitted that Mr Khazal had been in regular contact with the spy agency, separate to his interrogations and police interviews. "There's been informal contact numerous times, but not recently. Not since he's been charged," he said. Asked if Mr Khazal had ever provided ASIO or the AFP with information about other terror suspects, Mr Houda said: "That's a question for ASIO. All I can tell you is he's been interrogated numerous times."
| Mr Khazal has been convicted in absentia by a military tribunal in Lebanon for financially aiding a local terror group involved in bombings there. |