Fed: Captured Aust al-Qaeda fighter could face murder charges

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2001
Fed: Captured Aust al-Qaeda fighter could face murder charges

An Australian man captured fighting for terrorist mastermind OSAMA BIN LADEN's al-Qaeda
group in Afghanistan could face murder charges or a long stint in prison.

The 26-year-old, named by news reports tonight as South Australian DAVID HICKS, was
captured by Northern Alliance troops in Afghanistan on or around December 9.

Attorney-General DARYL WILLIAMS refuses to reveal any details of the man's capture
or his identity, but says he is in good health.

While his immediate fate is unknown, there is speculation HICKS could be held in a
US detention camp with American Muslim convert JOHN WALKER, the only other westerner so
far caught fighting with the Taliban.

Attorney General DARYL WILLIAMS says the Australian entered Afghanistan in 2000 and
trained extensively with the al-Qaeda group.

AAP RTV rft/daw/sp/rp

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST (CANBERRA)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.