Fake Sheik Haron (Haroon): Governments (past and present) and the courts have questions to answer over their action or non action over hostage taker Haron. We have a right to be angry and we have a right to answers. As a community, both have failed us and as a result three people are dead (including Haron's ex-wife). And, whilst I don't wish to cause alarm, we have a need to know how many potential Sheik Haron's are walking free within our community as a result of similar failures.
As has been reported in our local papers Iran warned our Govt's about fake Sheik Haron. As you would expect 'Iran' has been critical of Australia in light of the events of this week (see attached report) They should be. As a country we've failed them as well.
In 2007 our local Muslim community asked the then Govt to investigate Haron, who had caused concern within the community here. "The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has urged Sheik Haron - who ambiguously claims on his website to be a "small soldier" - to identify himself and stop exploiting freedom of speech to attack mainstream Australia under the banner of Islam." (From The Australian 28, January 2008)
The courts added to the litany of failures in allowing this man out on bail not once, but multi times despite the seriousness of the crimes he committed. And despite the requests by police and prosecutors to keep the lunatic behind bars. Our police, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are also victims of the court failures.
It appears multiple requests for action have been ignored and despite the evidence and requests from Iran a con-artist and fraudster was granted asylum in this country. A con-artist and a fraudster who went on to become a fake Sheik, an accessory to murder and a rapist is given license to walk free in our streets.
I have no idea why repeated warnings and requests were ignored. It's hard to comprehend that a person with such a dubious background can be afforded so many liberties despite the evidence against him. On all counts this is a collective ultimate betrayal of us as a nation, of the families left to grieve and of the Muslim community. It must never be allowed to happen again. And we must continue to demand answers.
Iran News:
http://217.25.54.55/en/News/81430222/
http://217.25.54.55/en/News/81428520/
Some earlier local articles on Haron: (copy and paste to read)
2007 - http://austrolabe.com/2007/12/06/the-fake-sheikh-haron/
2007 - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/sheik-faked-to-stir-up-ill-feeling/story-e6frg8yo-1111115203676
2008 - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/call-to-probe-mystery-shia-cleric/story-e6frg8yx-1111115413357
2009 - http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/10/23/give-us-a-break-the-fake-sheiks-not-worth-the-effort/
