Knowingly providing or receiving training connected with terrorist acts is an offence under section 101.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
- You provided or received training
- The training was connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in or assistance in a terrorist act, and
- You knew the training was connected as such.
A ‘terrorist act’ is an action done or threatened with the intention of:
- Coercing, or influencing by intimidation, the government of the Commonwealth or a state, territory or foreign country, or part thereof, or
- Intimidating the public or a section thereof.
‘An action’ includes:
- Causing serious physical harm to a person
- Causing serious damage to property
- Causing death
- Endangering another’s life
- Creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or part thereof, or
- Seriously interfering with, seriously disrupting or destroying an electronic system.
An ‘electronic system’ includes:
- An information, telecommunications or financial system
- A system to deliver essential government services, and
- A system for or by an essential public utility or transport system.
‘An action’ does not include advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action not intended to:
- Cause death, serious physical harm or endanger another’s life, or
- Create a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a part thereof.
You may be found guilty even if:
- The terrorist act did not occur
- The training was not connected with a specific terrorist act, or
- The training was connected with more than one terrorist act.
Defences to the charge include:
- Self-defence
- Duress, and
- Necessity.
Recklessly providing or receiving training connected with terrorist acts is an offence under section 101.2(2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
- You provided or received training
- The training was connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in or assistance in a terrorist act, and
- You were reckless as to whether the training was connected as such.
A ‘terrorist act’ is an action done or threatened with the intention of:
- Coercing, or influencing by intimidation, the government of the Commonwealth or a state, territory or foreign country, or part thereof, or
- Intimidating the public or a section thereof.
‘An action’ includes:
- Causing serious physical harm to a person
- Causing serious damage to property
- Causing death
- Endangering another’s life
- Creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or part thereof, or
- Seriously interfering with, seriously disrupting or destroying an electronic system.
An ‘electronic system’ includes:
- An information, telecommunications or financial system
- A system to deliver essential government services, and
- A system for or by an essential public utility or transport system.
‘An action’ does not include advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action not intended to:
- Cause death, serious physical harm or endanger another’s life, or
- Create a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a part thereof.
You were ‘reckless’ if you were aware there was a substantial risk that the training was connected with a terrorist act and it was unjustifiable to take that risk but you went ahead with your actions regardless.
You may be found guilty even if:
- The terrorist act did not occur
- The training was not connected with a specific terrorist act, or
- The training was connected with more than one terrorist act.
Defences to the charge include:
- Self-defence
- Duress, and
- Necessity.
If you require Expert Legal Advice from an Experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer for your Providing or Receiving Training for Terrorist Acts matter, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers® today on (02) 9261 8881.