Letter ban for radical sheik
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Man Monis, also known as Sheik Haron, outside court in November last year. (AAP: Sergio Dionisio)
A Sydney sheik accused of harassing the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan has had restrictions placed on him sending letters overseas.
Man Monis, also known as Sheik Haron, faces seven counts of using a postal service to menace or harass families of dead Australian soldiers and the family of a trade official who died in last year's Jakarta bombing.
The 45-year-old, who describes himself as a peace activist, was back in court today for a decision on whether his bail conditions should be tightened to stop him sending letters overseas.
Prosecutors made the request after seeing comments on the man's website, detailing plans to send 237 similar letters to the families of British soldiers.
Monis represented himself in court, urging the magistrate not to allow the ban, which he said was against freedom of speech.
But the magistrate agreed to the ban, saying Monis could still send letters to any relatives he has overseas, but must have other letters approved by Federal Police.
Outside court, he said he would not be able to send condolences to people affected by terrorist attacks.
"In any terrorist attack, I should not be able to contact the victims of any terrorist attack around the world, whether they are killed or wounded," he said. "So this is against human rights."
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