By Peter Veness | November 20, 2008
FORMER Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks has broken his silence, saying a court-imposed control order makes it hard for him to get on with his life.
The convicted terrorism supporter says he is very worried that the controversial control order obtained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to restrict his activities may be extended.
The one-year order, which expires in December, is only the second such order placed on an Australian citizen.
"I'm concerned that the AFP will recommend the attorney-general impose a new control order," Hicks says in a video seen by Australian Associated Press.
The control order was imposed on Hicks after he was freed from jail last December and revised in February.
Under the order, Hicks has to report to police twice a week. He can live anywhere in Australia approved by the AFP, but he is not allowed to leave the country.
He also has to submit to fingerprint testing and is barred from possessing any explosives or firearms or any materials related to weapons, combat skills or military tactics.
The video plea was organised by lobby group GetUp!, which has called for a major review of the 44 counter-terrorism laws introduced after the September 11 terrorism attacks.
"I don't know what the future holds for me. The only thing I do know is that until the control order is lifted, I will not be able to get on with my life,'' Hicks says.
It's almost seven years since the Adelaide man was caught in Afghanistan and sent to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay.
He was imprisoned there for six years, before agreeing to plead guilty to a charge of supporting terrorism in exchange for returning home to serve the remainder of his sentence in South Australia's Yatala prison.
He has received a number of requests to tell his story after the gag order imposed by US military officials expired last March, but he has kept his silence until today.
Hicks says he will tell his full story one day, but he is not ready to do it just yet.
"I'm still recovering from that ordeal. I'm not yet ready to explain what happened or why," Hicks said.
FORMER Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks has broken his silence, saying a court-imposed control order makes it hard for him to get on with his life.
The convicted terrorism supporter says he is very worried that the controversial control order obtained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to restrict his activities may be extended.
The one-year order, which expires in December, is only the second such order placed on an Australian citizen.
"I'm concerned that the AFP will recommend the attorney-general impose a new control order," Hicks says in a video seen by Australian Associated Press.
The control order was imposed on Hicks after he was freed from jail last December and revised in February.
Under the order, Hicks has to report to police twice a week. He can live anywhere in Australia approved by the AFP, but he is not allowed to leave the country.
He also has to submit to fingerprint testing and is barred from possessing any explosives or firearms or any materials related to weapons, combat skills or military tactics.
The video plea was organised by lobby group GetUp!, which has called for a major review of the 44 counter-terrorism laws introduced after the September 11 terrorism attacks.
"I don't know what the future holds for me. The only thing I do know is that until the control order is lifted, I will not be able to get on with my life,'' Hicks says.
It's almost seven years since the Adelaide man was caught in Afghanistan and sent to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay.
He was imprisoned there for six years, before agreeing to plead guilty to a charge of supporting terrorism in exchange for returning home to serve the remainder of his sentence in South Australia's Yatala prison.
He has received a number of requests to tell his story after the gag order imposed by US military officials expired last March, but he has kept his silence until today.
Hicks says he will tell his full story one day, but he is not ready to do it just yet.
"I'm still recovering from that ordeal. I'm not yet ready to explain what happened or why," Hicks said.
Source: The Australian
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