Summary

Tukiterangi Lawrence was sentenced to 6 years for advocating terrorism after engaging in extensive extremist communications and attempting to recruit fellow inmates to surveil correctional officers. Lawrence received the detailed three-page insurgency letter from Isaac El Matari while they were cellmates in the High Risk Management Correctional Centre at Goulburn in September 2019. He responded enthusiastically to El Matari's offers to facilitate weapons, false documents, and connections to ISIS in the Middle East.

The case is remarkable for Lawrence's continued commitment to violent extremism despite catastrophic physical disability.

In November 2021, during a cell extraction, Lawrence suffered a spinal cord injury that left him tetraplegic and wheelchair-bound. He continued to access extremist material. When his phone was seized in January 2023 while on an Extended Supervision Order, it contained 123,822 images and 1,192 videos of extremist content.

Key Facts

Lawrence converted to Islam at age 14-15. Between December 2017 and February 2018, he was photographed with the ISIS one-finger gesture and wearing "Muslim Brotherhood" and "Al-Shabaab" t-shirts. Arrested in February 2018 for violent offenses. Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Released to parole in August 2018.

His offending period for advocating terrorism ran from 30 November 2018 to 18 March 2019. He engaged in extensive WhatsApp exchanges about jihad with contacts including Tamer Muhammad (who sent him "The Terrorist's Handbook"), Hamzah El Salih, and Mohamed Hawchar.

His parole was revoked in March 2019. Transferred to the High Risk Management Correctional Centre at Goulburn in April 2019. In June 2019, Lawrence attempted to recruit a fellow inmate (identified only as Witness A) to surveil Corrective Services officers. Observe their routines. When they were alone. Photograph their faces. The purpose was to identify potential targets.

In September 2019, Lawrence became cellmates with Isaac El Matari. Between 16 September and 1 October 2019, they exchanged letters. El Matari outlined detailed plans for "violent Islamic insurgency in Australia." His three-page letter described establishing a "small enclosed battalion to exploit the landscape, taking to remote regional areas to plan the orchestration of attacks, whilst cells living amongst the civilian population finance, recruit and resupply the mujahideen." The letter referenced successful tactics used by militants in the Philippines and Caucasus. It offered to facilitate firearms, explosives, bomb manufacturing training, suicide vest manufacture, false documents, and border crossings through contacts in Lebanon, Pakistan, Greece, and Turkey.

Lawrence responded enthusiastically:

"Jazak allahu kyra 4 the beautiful letter... What ever you think is the best course of action with the greater outcome and benefits I will go with that inshallah. As 4 the 2nd (masala) u mentioned that contains both Hijra & operations if that is the best & most beneficial then I will need U 2 direct me 2 people ect that can help me in that course."

During a police interview in February 2021, Lawrence made clear statements about his beliefs. He believed in jihad "hundred per cent" and in fighting. It would be justified to kill a non-believer "for the sake of Allah if it was necessary to spread the religion of Islam." Police officers were legitimate targets "Islamically" because they "attack Muslims." He stated "My belief's with Al-Qaeda" and described the victims of 9/11 as "collateral damage."

When told the maximum penalty was life imprisonment, he responded "oh, beautiful."

He also stated: "I can make a very deadly bomb in my cell. I can get a shank whenever I wants and put it in someone's throat."

In November 2021, Lawrence suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury during a cell extraction. Tetraplegic. Wheelchair-bound. Released on bail with an Extended Supervision Order in May 2022.

In January 2023, police seized his phone. It contained 123,822 images—beheadings, firearms, images of AFP officers and Sydney AFP Headquarters, Corrective Services staff. And 1,192 videos—speeches extolling violent jihad, weapons demonstrations, mutilated bodies. Documents including "The Al Qaeda Manual." Audio files of Anwar Al-Awlaki speeches.

Lawrence continued accessing extremist material despite his Extended Supervision Order and his physical disability.

Sentence

Justice Ierace sentenced Lawrence to 6 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 4 years and 6 months. Eligible for parole on 22 November 2025. The sentence reflected his cooperation with authorities (25% discount) but also his continued commitment to violent extremism, demonstrated by the material found on his phone while on the Extended Supervision Order.

The judge found Lawrence's prospects of rehabilitation were "poor." He had complex PTSD, antisocial personality disorder, and mild intellectual disability.

Lawrence has not renounced violent jihad.

At the time of sentencing he was held at Long Bay Hospital due to his tetraplegic condition requiring ongoing medical care.

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