• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Kirsty Ross

11th April 2007 02:20:21 PM

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A WERRIBEE father of three Jack Thomas will face re-trial on terrorism charges this week after being convicted then released on appeal last August.

The Supreme Court of Victoria hearing will start on Thursday 12 April.

Thomas’ solicitor, Rob Stary, said he expects his client to be acquitted.

He believes the hearing will take longer than four days.

Thomas faced the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday 23 March and pleaded not guilty to one charge of terrorism and not guilty to one charge of falsifying his passport.

Thomas denied one charge under terrorism legislation of intentionally accepting funds from a terrorist organisation in Pakistan in 2003.

The re-trial cannot be based on any previous evidence from the Court of Appeal and instead will include new evidence based on alleged admissions Thomas gave in media interviews.

Thomas’ two-year jail term was quashed last August on the grounds that the evidence he gave while in custody in Pakistan should have been ruled inadmissible, as it was involuntary.

In an interview with ABC’s Four Corners program, Thomas said: “The money I took wasn’t for terror work.

“The money I took was meted out $US1500 for a year’s maintenance and $US2000 for waiting so long.”

In a separate civil case, Thomas is also waiting for a decision from the High Court of Australia on the control order that restricts his communications and movements.

Mr Stary said it is being opposed on constitutional grounds and would be announced in coming months.

However, the one-year control is due to lapse in August regardless.

Meanwhile, Thomas' wife, Maryati, is expecting the couple's fourth child.

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