David Hicks, former prisoner at Guantanamo Bay. Source: Herald Sun
August 03, 2011
A JUDGE has ordered assets derived from the sale of convicted terrorism supporter David Hicks' book to be frozen as the commonwealth bids to seize them under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
NSW Supreme Court Justice Peter Garling made the restraining order relating to Lakewood Pty Ltd, a company directed by Mr Hicks and his wife, Aloysia Brooks, and the Misha family trust, during a mention of Mr Hicks' case today.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions wants to seize the proceeds from the sale of Mr Hicks' book, Guantanamo: My Journey, which tells the story of his incarceration in the controversial US-run jail at Guantanamo Bay.
The DPP made the application under section 20 of the Commonwealth Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which aims to prevent convicted criminals from profiting from sales of books about their crimes.
Geoffrey Bellew, SC, for the DPP, sought an adjournment to August 16 so the parties could continue “advanced” discussions, with a view to agreeing on how the matter will be resolved.
He said some documents remained to be filed and the DPP was waiting on further evidence from overseas.
Stephen Free, for Mr Hicks, indicated he also needed more time to gather evidence.
Mr Hicks himself was not in court and neither barrister commented outside court.
Mr Hicks' father Terry Hicks said the court action was opening a can of worms for his son, who is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
“He's been suffering that for quite a while and he has been seeing people, trying to get through it,” Terry Hicks said from Adelaide.
“He's just taking one step at at time.”
The matter will return to court on August 16.
Earlier the legal action was branded a “show trial” designed as a warning to authors planning to publish controversial political material.
“This is a warning bell to other authors who wish to publish a dissenting voice and expose Australian governments' criminal complicity,” NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said outside the court.
“Other authors will see the actions of the Australian attorney-general and they will be cowed from publishing their voices.”
A JUDGE has ordered assets derived from the sale of convicted terrorism supporter David Hicks' book to be frozen as the commonwealth bids to seize them under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
NSW Supreme Court Justice Peter Garling made the restraining order relating to Lakewood Pty Ltd, a company directed by Mr Hicks and his wife, Aloysia Brooks, and the Misha family trust, during a mention of Mr Hicks' case today.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions wants to seize the proceeds from the sale of Mr Hicks' book, Guantanamo: My Journey, which tells the story of his incarceration in the controversial US-run jail at Guantanamo Bay.
The DPP made the application under section 20 of the Commonwealth Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which aims to prevent convicted criminals from profiting from sales of books about their crimes.
Geoffrey Bellew, SC, for the DPP, sought an adjournment to August 16 so the parties could continue “advanced” discussions, with a view to agreeing on how the matter will be resolved.
He said some documents remained to be filed and the DPP was waiting on further evidence from overseas.
Stephen Free, for Mr Hicks, indicated he also needed more time to gather evidence.
Mr Hicks himself was not in court and neither barrister commented outside court.
Mr Hicks' father Terry Hicks said the court action was opening a can of worms for his son, who is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
“He's been suffering that for quite a while and he has been seeing people, trying to get through it,” Terry Hicks said from Adelaide.
“He's just taking one step at at time.”
The matter will return to court on August 16.
Earlier the legal action was branded a “show trial” designed as a warning to authors planning to publish controversial political material.
“This is a warning bell to other authors who wish to publish a dissenting voice and expose Australian governments' criminal complicity,” NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said outside the court.
“Other authors will see the actions of the Australian attorney-general and they will be cowed from publishing their voices.”
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