MELBOURNE
An Australian court has revoked the bail granted to the former partner of a gunman whose recent siege on a Sydney cafe culminated in his death and that of two hostages.
Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson ruled that Amirah Droudis, 34, was an "unacceptable risk" during a hearing Monday, national news broadcaster ABC reported.
Last week, lone wolf gunman Man Haron Monis – who had been out on bail -- held 17 people hostage at the Martin Place Lindt cafe. The siege, which closed down Sydney’s Central Business District for 17 hours, led to the deaths of Tori Johnson, the cafe’s 34-year-old manager, and Katrina Dawson, a 38-year-old barrister and mother of three.
Amid questions last week about Monis’ bail, the attorney-general of New South Wales state had requested that the Director of Public Prosecutions immediately review the bail granted to Droudis.
Last year, Droudis was charged with the murder of Monis’ ex-wife Noleen Hayson Pal, who was reportedly stabbed multiple times and set on fire. Monis had been charged with being an accessory in the case.
Droudis was granted bail in December 2013 after the case against her was deemed to be weak.
The Australian Associated Press quoted Magistrate Henson as saying Monday, "The case against the accused is stronger than it was 12 months ago."
At the Downing Centre Local Court, prosecutors admitted to "failings" in Droudis' bail hearings last year, accepting that evidence regarding her tendency to follow Monis had not been presented, according to ABC.
The prosecution presented videos posted in 2009 by Droudis that allegedly adhered to Monis’ beliefs, arguing they served as evidence of her willingness to act on his behalf.
After adjourning the court twice to watch the videos alongside the legal teams, Chief Magistrate Henson ruled they were not relevant for the bail review.
After the decision’s announcement, security guards took Droudis’ personal belongings before taking her into custody.
Following the decision, the state’s premier issued a statement saying the government “expects community safety to be front and centre of all bail decisions and that is why the Attorney General expressed concern and requested a review of the case."
ABC quoted him as saying, "As the matter is before the courts I will be making no further comment."
Droudis is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 27.
www.aa.com.tr/en
