Fed: Death penalty would not apply to Hicks, academic

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2001
Fed: Death penalty would not apply to Hicks, academic

A legal expert says an Adelaide man captured while fighting for the Taliban would NOT
face the death penalty if found guilty of treason under Australian law.

The exact wording of the Crimes Act makes 26-year-old DAVID HICKS liable to the punishment
of death if convicted of treason.

But University of Melbourne law professor GILLIAN TRIGGS says the legislation has been
over-ridden by the Death Penalty Abolition Act -- which rules out death for all offences.

And Professor TRIGGS says treason does not apply to HICKS' activities because Australia
has not proclaimed Afghanistan as an enemy state.

AAP RTV gfr/ge/rp e

KEYWORD: TERROR HICKS LAW (MELBOURNE)

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