Killer closed eyes and drove into crowd ‘in the name of Allah’
AN ISIS sympathiser who mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne’s Flinders St, killing an elderly grandfather, said he “did it in the name of Allah”.
Saeed Noori, now 33, drove his mother’s SUV into 16 pedestrians outside Flinders St Station on December 21, 2017, motivated by an apparent hatred of the Australian govern- ment. He was arrested by an off-duty police officer who had just stepped off a tram near the attack, and Noori uttered “Allah Akbar” as he was restrained.
One of his victims was Antonios “Anton” Crocaris, 83, who later died from head injuries.
Noori told homicide squad investigators a “voice within” told him to drive into pedestrians, a Supreme Court of Victoria pre-sentence plea hearing was told yesterday.
“I’m sorry for the people that I injured but I did it in the name of Allah,” he was quoted as saying, adding “I’ve been tortured by this government for about 3½ years. They got me to a point that it was a voice within — within me ask me to do it”.
He also told police: “I just drove into them. I just did a turn and shut my eyes.”
Noori, who had fasted for seven days before the attack, also condemned the Australian government as racist and for oppressing Muslims, repeatedly saying he believed he has been reported in Africa and Australia.”
Dr Avumegah received his doctoral degree at last night’s ceremony. He is currently a research assistant on a Buruli ulcer case-control study in Barwon Health and CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory.
“The opportunities I’ve had throughout my study have been a huge benefit, equipping and other Muslims were targeted by “bullies” at ASIO, the court was told. He said he was sympathetic to ISIS.
Noori previously pleaded guilty to murder, 11 counts of recklessly causing serious injury and five of conduct endangering life.
Witnesses to the attack said they saw “bodies flying” in the me with relevant research skills to make a difference,” he said.
The university’s first round of ceremonies for 2019 will span across 12 events at the Waterfront campus, starting yesterday and running until February 21, with a later event at the Warrnambool campus.
Deakin vice-chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the graduation ceremon- air, and suffer post-traumatic stress, being “triggered” when they heard cars accelerate.
Crown prosecutor Mark Gibson SC said Noori should receive life imprisonment. “It was unprovoked and displayed a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life,” he said.
The hearing continues today.
AAP
ies signalled the start of a new phase in the graduands’ lives and careers.
“For our graduating class, their Deakin qualification will be valuable asset as they explore the range of opportunities ahead,” she said.
The Deakin University February graduation ceremonies will be available to stream live at www.deakin.edu.au/life-atdeakin/graduations