Australia to Extradite Lebanese Brothers

Associated Press ^ | 10/21/03 | JAMIE TARABAY

[TexKat]

SYDNEY, Australia - Australia is willing to extradite two brothers convicted by a Lebanese military court of participating in attacks on American and British businesses, Prime Minister John Howard said Monday.

The two men, Bilal and Maher Khazal, were convicted in absentia Saturday in Lebanon but remain free at their homes in Sydney because they have not been charged with crimes in Australia.

They were among 32 people convicted Saturday by the military court in Beirut for the attacks. The brothers were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.

"We are ready to extradite them if an extradition request is received," Howard said.

A lawyer representing the brothers said they will fight extradition.

"The government, and Mr. Howard in particular, is fully aware how military courts operate and they don't operate according to rules of fairness," the lawyer, Adam Houda, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Bilal Khazal, a former baggage handler for Qantas at Sydney's international airport, leads an Islamic youth group.

The Australian government has labeled Bilal Khazal a "person of interest" and Justice Minister Chris Ellison said he was being investigated by Australia's spy agency, ASIO, for alleged links to al-Qaida.

"ASIO and our security agencies have been aware of this man for some time," Ellison said.

The 32 defendants were convicted of "forming a terrorist network with the aim of carrying out bombings against Western targets and harming the country's reputation."

Five people were wounded in the bombings in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli. The attacks, which began last year and continued until April, damaged outlets of McDonald's, Pizza Hut and fried chicken outlet KFC, among other businesses.

[Migraine]

I didn't even know they had any brothers in Lebanon. Wonder if they wear their kaffiyas backwards?

[HouTom]

I say good for Australia. I mean, community standards must be respected. Imagine the disgusting things these Lebanese brothers must do in their private lives. Disgusting things that the Bible has said is a sin. Oh wait, I see now, Lebanese not Lesbian.

Sorry to have gotten confused. Just so used to half of the articles on FR having a gay slant to them.

[2nd Amendment]

You stole my thunder. Personally I'm just tired of all these Lebans, or Lebanese, or whatever you call them. They should go back to Lebanon where they came from and stop perverting our morals.