ALMOST a third of all people-smuggling charges laid by the Australian Federal Police in the past four years have failed, amid claims another people smuggler who arrived in Australia claiming asylum has allegedly cut a deal with authorities.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that of 397 people charged with people smuggling since 2008, 65 have been acquitted. As well, 58 people-smuggling charges have been dropped because authorities were unable to prove that those charged were adults.
The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, said yesterday under a Coalition government there would be a ”strong presumption that illegal boat people who have destroyed their documents not be given refugee status”.
This week it was revealed on ABC’s Four Corners that a people smuggler known as Captain Emad had successfully posed as a refugee. He secured a protection visa but following the airing of allegations against him he fled Australia.
The man who helped find Captain Emad, Hussain Nasir, also helped Fairfax with its investigation after a story in December 2010 about a refugee boat which had gone missing with 97 passengers. At the time, Mr Nasir was in Indonesia and told Fairfax he had been providing information to the AFP. Mr Nasir said he was happy to expose criminals and wouldn’t accept any payment from the AFP for his help.
The alleged people smuggler believed to have cut a deal with authorities is Haji Mohammed, who arrived on Christmas Island early this year. He has allegedly organised many boats to Australia, including one in October 2009 that is believed to have sunk with 108 on board, including two of his sons.
Fairfax revealed the AFP and Customs delayed alerting rescuers because the AFP wanted to protect the spy who told them the boat was in trouble.
Fairfax has been told that when Mr Mohammed arrived, he was spoken to by authorities and agreed to co-operate for easier treatment.
Related posts:
Views: 0