‘Redeemed’ IS rocket designer says he’s not a danger
An electrician says his years-long road to redemption after designing missiles for the Islamic State means he no longer needs police enforcement in his rural hometown.
Haisem Zahab, 51, was jailed by the NSW Supreme Court in 2019 for supporting a terrorist organization after researching and developing a laser warning receiver, rockets and rocket guidance methods for ISIS.
He was released in March and moved with his family to the regional NSW town of Young, where he was closely monitored by federal police.
On Thursday, his lawyers argued that all supervision conditions under the court-imposed control order should be lifted.
Lawyer Riyad El-Choufani told the Federal Court that the electrician had repeatedly blamed the Islamic State and was receiving psychological help for his diagnosed autism disorder.
“(They) are the culmination of a seven-year journey towards this man’s redemption,” he argued.
Control orders require Zahab to obtain permission from federal police to leave his home for more than 24 hours and to wear an ankle bracelet for electronic monitoring.
Mr. El-Choufani argued that these conditions increased his client’s anxiety, prevented him from finding work, and did not help his integration into society.
Zahab was not in the Sydney court on Thursday, instead watching the hearing via audio-visual link.
The lawyer said the former Sparky tried to avoid contact with convicted terrorists while in custody.
“I’m sorry, I’m remorseful, I’m ashamed, I’m embarrassed for my crimes,” he told prison officials.
Mr El-Choufani told the court that as a result he was subjected to insults, threats and accusations that he had betrayed his religion by some prisoners.
The lawyer stated that Zahab also participated in psychological counseling and anti-extremism programs while in custody.
The 51-year-old continued to reintegrate into society after his release by receiving further counselling, applying for an electrical license and attending a solar panels course, the court was told.
His family also completed a deradicalization course so they could recognize the warning signs.
But AFP barrister Trent Glover SC argued a full suite of control orders was required.
He said Zahab’s recently diagnosed autism made him vulnerable to re-radicalization by extremist propaganda if left unchecked.
“While awareness of the diagnosis is undoubtedly positive, he has not yet been tested in the community,” he told the court.
“Given his weaknesses, there’s no telling how he’ll react.”
Judge Robert Bromwich heard Zahab was both geographically and socially isolated and remained unemployed.
Mr Glover said the same risks existed in 2014, before Zahab’s rapid radicalisation.
At that time, the Arab Spring had broken out, and the electrician began to see ISIS as a bulwark against the oppressive regime of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Mr Glover told the AFP on Thursday he wanted the control order extended until March 2027, the maximum period allowed under Australian law.
Judge Bromwich reserved his decision on whether the orders should continue, be further modified or be struck down altogether.
But it changed some control orders, removing the requirement for Zahab to wear an ankle bracelet and allowing him to own a knife for farming or fishing.
Zahab was imprisoned after researching and using 3D technology to develop the mechanical design and fabrication of a laser warning receiver that would provide advance notification of incoming laser-guided weapons.
He prepared a 288-page report on the recipient and sent it via secure software to a British citizen who later accepted membership in ISIS.
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