Fed: Brigitte may be brought back to Aust for terrorist trials

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2004
Fed: Brigitte may be brought back to Aust for terrorist trials

CANBERRA, April 25 AAP - Alleged terrorist Willie Brigitte may be brought back to Australia
to give evidence, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock indicated today.

Mr Ruddock said any person now overseas could be brought to Australia to provide evidence
in connection with alleged terrorist activities.

Brigitte, who is being held in a French jail on terror-related charges, is thought
to be the centre of a terrorist ring in Sydney.

There is now speculation Brigitte may be required to give evidence in the trials of
two Sydney men who have been recently charged with terrorist offences.

"It is possible that anyone who has evidence they're prepared to give in a trial would
be called, and, if it is, they would be given a visa - sometimes these are called criminal
justice visas - to enable people to appear in a trial," Mr Ruddock told the Seven network.

"(But) I have no knowledge, nor should I have any knowledge, about the status of criminal
investigations."

Mr Ruddock said he was unsure if Brigitte would face trial in Australia on terror-related
charges.

"I have no idea in relation to those matters. It is a question that would be addressed
by police," he said.

AAP sw/cdh/cat/br

KEYWORD: BRIGITTE

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