A young woman facing a series of serious terrorism charges appeared in court for her first public hearing, hiding behind a long black cloth as she entered and left the court.
Terror police in South Australia swooped on the Adelaide girl in mid-March following an investigation, charging her with possession of explosive instructions and 19 counts of possession of extremist material.
The girl, who appeared before Magistrate Tracee Micallef in the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday, was wearing black jeans and trainers and sat quietly throughout the proceedings.
A young woman (pictured) facing a series of serious terrorism charges appeared before Magistrate Tracee Micallef in the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday.
South Australian terrorist cops swooped on Adelaide girl in mid-March (pictured, teen outside court on Friday)
Andrew Williams, appearing for the girl, asked Ms Micallef to close the hearing to protect his client’s welfare.
“This is a very young girl,” he said.
“This needs to be handled delicately and privately.”
Journalists present at the hearing opposed the request to close the court, citing public interest in the case, and Ms. Micallef adjourned the session to consider the matter.
Upon his return, he decided to exclude the media from the hearing, but left open the possibility of reporting on the case in the future.
‘The information provided to me for discussion was of a nature relating to the young man’s personal health and wellbeing but the matter is simply deferred for further consideration.
“So I don’t exclude the media ad infinitum, each magistrate will consider his position based on what is heard that particular day.”
Andrew Williams (in the photo), the girl’s defense lawyer, asked Magistrate Micallef to close the hearing to the media
The girl (pictured) has been charged with possession of explosive instructions and 19 counts of possession of extremist material.
The girl will return to court for another hearing on April 19.
As she left the courthouse, a young man in long black pants and a white long-sleeved shirt helped the girl to a waiting red car, which then sped away.
Following his arrest in March, police declared that “material that directly or indirectly encourages, glorifies, promotes or condones terrorist acts, or seeks support for or justifies the carrying out of terrorist acts, is considered extremist material.”