Yahoo Finance Muslim 'Sheik' chains himself to courthouse
A self-styled Muslim cleric has chained himself to the steps of a Sydney courthouse in a bid to convey his message of peace.
Man Haron Monis, also known as Sheik Haron, appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court charged with sending offensive letters to family members of deceased Australian soldiers.
The 45-year-old Croydon Park man is accused of seven counts of using a postal or similar service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Monis was described by his lawyer Chris Murphy as a person who has "been preaching peace".
During an application to scrap a bail condition that Monis report to police three times a week, Mr Murphy said it was "quite unprecedented" for such a minor charge, which carried a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
He said Monis was "without a single blur" on his character.
The magistrate reduced the reporting conditions to one day a week after Monis agreed to surrender his passport to authorities.
The matter was adjourned to January 19.
Outside court, Monis addressed journalists in Arabic for some minutes before switching to English when he strongly criticised Australia's military presence in Afghanistan.
He referred to a comment reportedly made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that he could not "stomach" the allegations against him.
"I ask Mr Kevin Rudd, did your stomach turn when you read the news about killing innocent Afghanistani civilians," he said.
Monis said he had sent the letters to the families offering his condolences, offering his help if they needed it, and asking them to tell the government to stop killing innocent civilians.
He produced a small Australian flag and waved it, saying he loved Australia and whatever he did was for the safety of all nations, Australia included.
