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Faheem Khalid Lodhi (Urdu: فہیم خالد لودھی) (also known as Abu Hamza. b. 1969, Pakistan) is a convicted Pakistani–Australian criminal and architect, currently serving an Australian custodial sentence of twenty years, with a non-parole period of fifteen years for conspiring to commit a terrorist act or acts. Lodhi was the first convicted Australian terrorist under amendments made to the Commonwealth's Criminal Code Act 1995, in May 2003.[1]
Faheem Khalid Lodhi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Nationality | Pakistani–Australian |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Criminal status | In custody |
| Conviction(s) | Guilty on 19 June 2006 |
| Criminal charge |
|
| Penalty | 20 years jail with a non-parole period of 15 years |
Faheem Khalid Lodhi was born in Pakistan and grew up in Sialkot. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan.[2]
In 1998, Lodhi immigrated to Australia and later obtained Australian citizenship.[2] He attended the University of Sydney, from which he earned a Bachelor of Architecture.[2]
On 26 October 2003, following an investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, police and ASIO raided Lodhi's Lakemba home and workplace and discovered evidence of a terrorist plot.[3][4] He was accused of plotting to bomb the national electricity grid and/or Sydney defence sites in the cause of violent jihad. His possible targets were the national electricity supply system and three Sydney defence installations;[5] the army base Victoria Barracks, the naval base HMAS Penguin, and the army training area Holsworthy Barracks.[3]
During his trial, the court was told he and Willie Brigitte, who was deported in October 2003 for breaching his tourist visa, trained in Pakistan with Lashkar-e-Toiba and had contact using mobile phones registered under false names. The court was also told he helped arrange accommodation for Brigitte when he arrived in Sydney, in May 2003.
At the ruling, Justice Anthony Wheally commented that Lodhi had "the intent of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, namely violent jihad" and to "instil terror into members of the public so that they could never again feel free from the threat of bombing in Australia".[6][7]
He was convicted by a Supreme Court of New South Wales jury on 19 June 2006 on three terrorism-related offences, namely:[3]
- acting in preparation for a terrorist act, an offence carrying a maximum life sentence;
- seeking information about chemicals capable of making explosives; and,
- possessing a "terrorism manual" and buying two maps of the electricity grid, connected with preparation for a terrorist act.
The jury found that Lodhi was not guilty of one charge of downloading aerial photographs of Sydney defence sites in preparation of a terror act.[3]
In August 2006, he was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, with a 15-year non-parole period.[8] He is classified as a high-security "AA" prisoner and was eligible for parole in 2019.[8]
Lodhi was denied parole which he appealed but his appeal was refused in September 2020.[9]
Lodhi is a devout Sunni Muslim and is married to Aysha Hamedd.[3]
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