Vic man found with jihad mags refused bail

25 Sep 2012, 5:46 pm   -   Source: AAP

A Melbourne man who was found with terrorist material that described how to engage in violent jihad has been refused bail.

A Melbourne man who was found with al-Qaeda magazines that described how to engage in violent jihad and gave tips on making bombs has been refused bail.

Adnan Karabegovic, 23, considered Australians to be "dirty convict pigs" and "filthy kafir" and was committed to a course of action that conflicted with the community, the Melbourne Magistrates Court has been told.

He was recorded in telephone intercepts speaking of his desire to smash a local Cambodian temple because the people there were "idol worshippers", the court heard at his bail application on Tuesday.

Karabegovic, who has been charged with collecting documents linked with the preparation of a terrorist act, also allegedly spoke of a wish to train in Bosnia.

A piece of paper secreted in the back of a picture frame at Karabegovic's home had the names of chemicals used in bombs, the court heard.

Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg refused Karabegovic bail, saying it could not be said that the prosecution case was weak.

He said the fact that Karabegovic's wife was pregnant, and he had an offer of employment, family support and an offer of surety, did not amount to exceptional circumstances for bail to be granted.

In opposing bail, prosecutor Jeremy Rapke, QC, told the court that Karabegovic had spoken of a desire to go to Bosnia and train.

"Here we have a man who is speaking of carrying out violent acts for religious purposes," Mr Rapke said.

"He has a commitment to that as a way of life."

Four issues of the al-Qaeda magazine Inspire were found on a USB drive when police raided Karabegovic's home, an affidavit tendered in court shows.

Articles in the magazines included instruction on making a bomb from ingredients found in a kitchen.

Another article discussed how to adapt a vehicle by welding blades to the front and using it to drive through a crowded area.

During the raid on his home, Karabegovic told police he didn't look at the articles and had only read the opinion section of the magazine.

Prosecutors allege Karabegovic continued discussing terrorist-related topics while believing that he was under surveillance by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

In January, Karabegovic hung a banner from an overpass on the Monash Freeway which read "Get your troops out of Muslim lands you dirty convict pigs", the affidavit said.

Another banner he unfurled on the same day read "Get your troops out of Muslim lands you filthy kafir".

Mr Rozencwajg said he was sure the overwhelming majority of Muslims would be "furious with behaviour like this" as it would create a backlash against them.

Asking for bail, Karabegovic's lawyer Rob Stary said there would be argument about what the charges actually meant.

He said his client had not tried to purchase weapons.

Mr Stary described Karabegovic's behaviour as innocuous and said he had simply had conversations.

Karabegovic, who is charged with four counts of collecting documents connected with the preparation for the engagement of a person in or assistance in a terrorist act, was remanded in custody to appear in the same court in December.

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