Summary

On 15 April 2021, Nowroz Amin pleaded guilty to committing acts in preparation for terrorist acts and attempting to import material advocating terrorism. On 11 October 2021, Justice Garling sentenced him to 5 years and 4 months imprisonment, backdated to 16 June 2018, making him eligible for release on 15 October 2023.

The Attorney-General filed for an extended supervision order on 9 October 2023, six days before Amin's scheduled release. On 13 October 2023, Justice Weinstein conducted an urgent preliminary hearing and made an interim supervision order for 28 days by consent. Both parties had reached consensus on all conditions, with orders made without admission and without prejudice to Amin's opposition to the final ESO application.

Key Facts

Between 26 May 2015 and 7 February 2016, Amin communicated with two residents of Bangladesh about plans to travel there. He discussed his extremist ideology and resourced materials including the "Anarchists Cookbook" and "Islamic State 2015." He sought instructions on how to make explosive devices for terrorist attacks in Australia, Bangladesh, or both. He accessed a file titled "how to make a cocktail bomb" and discussed plans for others to carry out a terrorist attack in Bangladesh—equipment, money, training required. He transferred money to his wife who lived in Bangladesh.

On 7 February 2016, when Amin was intercepted attempting to travel to Bangladesh, he was found with multiple electronic storage devices containing at least 25 publications supporting or providing instructions on terrorism. He also had camouflage pants and combat boots. His Australian passport was cancelled on 22 February 2016. After his failed travel attempt, he continued having contact with extremists and accessing extremist material, using encrypted messaging apps to share material containing extremist ideology and instructions on making explosive devices.

Search warrants executed at Amin's home on 8 February 2016 and 16 June 2018 found numerous electronic devices containing extremist material, as well as handwritten documents with notes about extremist Islamic religious justifications. After his arrest on 16 June 2018, Amin continued communicating from prison with people inside and outside custody who had convictions for terrorism-related or other violent offences, or had known links to terrorist organisations. He was twice refused parole—14 June 2022 and 12 June 2023.

Forensic psychologist Dr Chelsey Dewson assessed Amin's overall risk of engaging in violent extremist behaviour as "low-moderate" in August 2023. Amin had his views challenged by another inmate and provided consistent accounts of his beliefs since incarceration. But there was no way to objectively measure changes to his ideology. Amin had not accessed any deradicalisation program tailored to address his risk factors, having declined on at least four occasions to participate in the PRISM program. Dr Dewson believed Amin was vulnerable to influence and at risk of indoctrination and relapse, with the most likely scenario being that he joins a terrorist organisation in the context of continued grievances.

Orders / Outcome

The Court made an interim supervision order commencing 15 October 2023 for 28 days, with conditions agreed by both parties. The order prohibited Amin from communicating or associating with 31 specified individuals including Milad Al-Ahmadzai, Mohamed Al Maouie, Raban Alou, Hamdi Alqudsi, Ali Al-Talebi, Milad Atai, Omarjan Azari, Bilal Betka, Jamal Bouobeid, Khaled Cheikho, Conrad Craig, Radwan Dakkak, Adnan Darwiche, Mustafa Dirani, Isaac El-Matari, Ahmed Elomar, Ibrahim Ghazzawy, Wissam Haddad, Bassam Hamzy, Bourhan Hraichie, Mohammed Hoblos, Omar Haouchar, Sulayman Khalid, Ihsas Khan, Salman Khan, Belal Khazaal, Farhad Said, Luke Sparos, Jalaal Suleman, Mohammad Junaid Thorne, and Haisem Zahab.

The order also prohibited adherence to fatwas of nine specified clerics including Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden, Abu Muhammad al Maqdisi, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, and any member of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. Amin was required to reside at a nominated address in Ingleburn. Curfew between midnight and 5am. Report to Parramatta Police Station every Monday and Friday. Wear an electronic monitoring device at all times.

The order imposed extensive restrictions on technology use. Amin could only access one AFP-provided mobile phone, AFP-provided computers, the permitted internet service, and approved email accounts. No social media, messaging services, gaming applications, or VPNs. He was prohibited from accessing or possessing documents relating to terrorism, explosives, or terrorist organisations except material broadcast by mainstream media. He could not leave Australia, apply for travel documents, possess weapons or explosives, or drive vehicles over 4.5 tonnes. The Court appointed Dr Michael R Davis to conduct a further risk assessment by 22 November 2023.

Related Profiles

Related Essays