Australia to toughen parole laws

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Friday that parole laws will be toughened to prevent violent offenders, especially those with terror links.

The measure comes a few days after a deadly siege in Melbourne that was claimed by the Islamic State, Efe news reported.

"We have agreed that states and territories will strengthen their laws to ensure that there will be a presumption that neither bail nor parole will be granted to those who have demonstrated support for or have links to terrorist activity," Turnbull said.

Yacqub Khayre, a 29-year-old Somalian-born refugee, who was out on parole, had laid siege at an apartment building in Melbourne and killed a man before being shot dead by the police.

"Violent criminals with terrorist links should not be walking the streets," Turnbull added.

Khayre, who had been imprisoned for a violent robbery in 2012 and was out on parole since November 2016, had been accused of plotting an attack against a military base in Sydney in 2009 although he was acquitted of those charges.

In 2014, Man Haron Monis, who laid siege at the Lindt cafe in Sydney, had also been out on bail.

The self-proclaimed cleric was granted bail after he was charged with the murder of his ex-wife, and 40 counts of sexual offences.

He also wrote offensive letters to families of Australian soldiers killed in combat.

--IANS

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