Fed: Terror suspect underwent pilot training in Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2001
Fed: Terror suspect underwent pilot training in Australia

MELBOURNE, Dec 6 AAP - A man arrested in India who claimed he intended to carry out
suicide attacks in Australia had undergone pilot training here, Attorney-General Daryl
Williams said today.

Mr Williams said the man, who was arrested in Mumbai, was not an Australian citizen,
and records indicated he was last here in 1998.

"We are aware of the claims, we have been aware of them for some time," Mr Williams
told Radio 3AW.

"The gentleman claims that he was part of a group that was likely to seek to make terrorist
attacks in Australia and the United Kingdom and India.

"He's not an Australian citizen, but we've been able to confirm that he actually did
do pilot training in Australia during 1997 and 1998.

"But he left Australia some time ago and, according to our records, he has not returned."

Mr Williams refused to reveal where the man had completed his training or the man's citizenship.

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KEYWORD: TERROR AUST WILLIAMS LEAD

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