A Sydney man accused of sending offensive mail to the families of dead Australian soldiers has been banned from sending similar letters to the relatives of British soldiers.
Man Haron Monis, also known as Sheik Haron, allegedly sent offensive letters to the families of two soldiers who died in Afghanistan, and to the family of a trade official who died in last year's Jakarta bombing.
The 45-year-old Campsie man is subjected to bail conditions banning him from using the postal service to contact the families of defence force personnel, but he had indicated on his website he wanted to send letters to families of British soldiers.
Monis said the conditions were a breach of his freedom of speech and he should be allowed to send letters anywhere in the world.
He applied for a bail variation in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday but it was denied.
"This is against human rights because if my family are the victims of a terrorist attack, I will not be able to contact them,"he told reporters outside the court.
"My relatives and family are an exception but if any friend in any terrorist attack (is) wounded or killed, first I should ask permission from the Australian Defence Force, then I can contact my friends to offer my condolences."
Monis said he would not be allowed to send his "very nice condolence letter" and "237 baskets of flowers" to the families of British soldiers who have been killed in Afghanistan since October 2001.
"Why not? Why shouldn't we offer our condolences?" he asked.
"There is nothing wrong in the letters I have sent."
Monis said the letters were meant to offer comfort and were different to the ones he had sent to Australian soldiers' families.
"I write to you to offer my condolences for the loss of a member of your family. I am so sorry that you have gone through a very hard time and I ask God to give you patience for that sad incident," he said, reading from an example of the letters.
"I advise first myself and then you to believe in God deeply and by praying to God try to stay calm and strong during the difficult times.
"I hope one day, all nations including British and Afghani nations enjoy peace."
Monis has previously said he sent letters to families offering his condolences, offering his help if they needed it, and asking them to tell the government to stop killing innocent civilians.
