Hizbut Tahrir avoids terrorist listing

The hardline Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir does not fit the definition of a terrorist organisation, says Attorney-General George Brandis.

Attorney-General George Brandis has again rejected listing Hizbut Tahrir as a terrorist organisation in Australia.

Senator Brandis sought fresh advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation last week, not long after Indonesia ordered the dissolution of the hardline Islamic group.

Indonesian security minister Wiranto says the Indonesian activities of Hizbut Tahrir have "clearly caused conflict in society" and threaten the integrity of his country.

Hizbut wants to unite all Muslim countries in a globe-spanning caliphate ruled by strict Shariah law.

Senator Brandis told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday he had sought the professional advice of security agencies about the group on a number of occasions, including last week.

It was the "strong view" of ASIO analysts that Hizbut Tahrir Australia - which describes itself as a "political party" on its official website - did not fit the definition of a terrorist organisation in the criminal code.

There are 23 bodies listed as terrorist organisations in Australia.

Before a group is listed the attorney-general must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the organisation is "directly or indirectly engaged in preparing, planning, assisting or fostering the doing of a terrorist act, or advocates the doing of a terrorist act".

Hizbut Tahrir is banned as a terrorist group in Russia, the Netherlands and a number of Middle Eastern countries, and prohibited in Germany as an anti-Semitic group.


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Source: AAP



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