A man accused of being a senior figure in a terrorist network that helped foreign fighters travel to war-torn Syria for conflict will fight the charges, his lawyer says.
Gabriel Crazzi is facing multiple foreign incursion-related charges after he was arrested by counter-terrorism police at his home south of Brisbane in March last year.
He has now been released on bail with a masxjmtzywsive surety offered to guarantee his release.
Outside court, Mr Crazzi’s lawyer Abdul Rashidi said his client’s onerous time in custody had affected him “physically and mentally”.
He confirmed Mr Crazzi would be contesting his charges.
“It’s disappointing the AFP have had this attitude … it’s not something we expect from high-ranking members,” Mr Rashidi said.
Mr Crazzi’s co-accused, Ahmed Talib, was also arrested at the same time in Melbourne.
Police allege the pair played “senior roles” in a South East Queensland terrorist syndicate that helped foreign fighters enter Syria between 2012 and 2014.
Brisbane Supreme Court was on Monday told that Mr Crazzi had been housed in maximum security despite displaying appropriate behaviour while in custody.
Justice David Jackson noted Mr Crazzi had no contact with other prisoners, was still restrained even while exercising outside and had little contact with his family or children.
“His detention is in effect solitary,” Justice Jackson said.
He noted Mr Crazzi had obtained a $300,000 surety from a friend in support of his bail application.
Mr Crazzi and Mr Talib are alleged to have helped foreign fighters join terrorist organisations – including Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as al-Qaeda in Syria – that were fighting against Syria’s government forces.
Mr Crazzi is alleged to have left Australia for Turkey in September 2013 and in 2014 went to Syria to fight against government forces alongside a man known as Witness 1.
The court was told Mr Crazzi was alleged to have helped Witness 1 obtain optical scopes and mounts for a weapon in April 2014.
Mr Crazzi is also facing a charge of possessing the proceeds of crime, which is alleged to be $79,000 in cash when he was arrested.
Justice Jackson said Mr Crazzi’s lawyers had submitted the cash was the balance from his stepfather selling his house for more than $130,000 in 2020.
The court was told Mr Crazzi would likely spend more time in custody as his matter was progressing slowly through the court
He said a date for a committal hearing had not yet been set.
Justice Jackson granted Mr Crazzi bail, noting he had strong family ties and had “made a substantial life” in Australia.
Mr Crazzi will need to report to police every day and follow a strict curfew while on bail.
