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Al-Qaida Supporter Leaves Australia Prison

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The New York Times

Published: December 29, 2007

SYDNEY, Australia - David Hicks, the only person sentenced by the military commissions set up by the Bush administration to try terrorism suspects, walked out of prison in Australia this morning after serving nine months for providing support to a terrorist organization.

Hicks, an Australian, had been detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for more than five years before his appearance at the military commission in March.

In a plea bargain, he acknowledged prosecutors had evidence to prove he had been a trainee for al-Qaida who was prepared to fight Americans.

The deal allowed him to serve the remainder of his sentence in Australia. He also agreed not to speak to the news media for a year.

In a statement from attorney David McCleod, Hicks said he would honor the order.

Although Hicks, now 32, is out of jail, he is subject to an order the government imposed under the country's antiterrorism laws to control his activities. The order limits him to one e-mail account, one cell phone number and one land line, which must be registered with police.

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