The comments from Mitchell McAlister, a veteran of the Australian Defence Force and former member of the Tactical Assault Group, come as in inquest into the December siege at Martin Place is set to begin.
Writing for an American-based online journal SOFREP, Mr McAlister said the weapons used by the NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit may have contributed to the death of one of the hostages, Katrina Dawson.
Ms Dawson was reportedly killed by a ricocheting bullet fired by authorities.
Mr McAlister said the use of heavy rounds would have had “dangerous effects in a dense and enclosed environment” such as the Lindt café, the ABC has reported.
He also struck out at “hashtag activists” in the wake of the siege, saying that the people being the global success of #illridewithyou had created false victims out of the Australian Muslim community.
“The real victims (the hostages) were replaced with fake victims (Australia’s Muslim community) in one of the most contemptible displays of ignorance I have ever seen,” he stated.
The hashtag trended globally and garnered the support of Australian politicians, celebrities and citizens.
Siege inquest begins
An inquest into the deaths that occurred during the siege at the Lindt Cafe has begun at the coroner's court in Sydney.
Counsel assisting the coroner Jeremy Gormly SC will spend Thursday morning outlining what inquiries into the December 15 siege have established so far and how the inquest will proceed.
No witnesses will be called and further hearing dates will be set.
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