Arsalan Khawaja arrested over ‘terror hit list’
AUSTRALIA
December 4, 2018 11:18am
Arsalan Khawaja, brother of Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja, has been arrested as part of an investigation into a notebook which contained a “terror hit list” of Australian politicians.
Among the names listed in the notebook were former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop, however Ten Daily reports that police do not suspect A.Khawaja had plans to carry out the attack but was instead trying to “set-up” a university colleague.
In August, 25-year-old PhD student Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen was arrested over the note.
The charges against Mr Nizamdeen were later dropped after it was revealed it was based on the notebook that did not match his handwriting.
Mr Nizamdeen, who has returned to Sri Lanka, plans to sue for compensation after being detained in Goulburn’s Supermax jail following his arrest in August.
A.Khawaja, 39, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning after his house was previously raided by Police in October.
At the time, Tariq Khawaja, A.Khawaja’s father, told Ten Eyewitness News in October: “He is his colleague. He works with him. I have no idea about this. Sorry, I can’t discuss this.”
In a statement revealed by Ten Daily, NSW Police confirmed that “a 39-year-old man was arrested at Parramatta at 8.30am today as part of an ongoing NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation.”
“The arrest relates to documents allegedly found on University of NSW grounds in August this year containing plans to facilitate terrorism attacks.
“He has been taken to Parramatta Police Area Command where he will be spoken to in relation to the alleged Attempt to Pervert Justice, and Forgery — Making a False Document.
“Police will address the media in relation to the arrest.”
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja is expected to be recalled to the Australian Test team to face India starting in Adelaide on Thursday, after the classy left-handed batsman made a successful return from a knee-injury for Queensland against Victoria last week.
Khawaja made 41 and 18 in his first match back since retiring hurt against Pakistan in October.
