Terror accused twins to remain in jail

THE bail application of jailed twins BrandonLee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are accused of plotting terror attacks on Jewish and US interests in South Africa, was postponed yesterday to October.

The twins, who have been in jail for more than two months, had initially chosen to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest rather than apply for bail.

They contend police officers who arrested them at their Newclare home in Johannesburg only had a search warrant.

Police conceded they did not have an arrest warrant, but said they acted lawfully.

Last week the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court declared the arrest of the Thulsie twins was lawfully executed by the police.

However, the lawyer for the twins, Annelene van den Heever, said she would seek a high court review of the ruling.

Yesterday magistrate Pieter du Plessis told Van Den Heever that he was notified that there was an application in the high court to rule if the search warrant was lawful.

State prosecutor, Chris MacAdam, said that on August 19 the twins brought an application in the high court for review, arguing against the magistrate’s ruling that the accused were lawfully arrested.

Roll

He said the matter was struck off the roll.

“Certain transcripts are outstanding and they would prefer to proceed with the review then continue with the bail application,” said MacAdam.

MacAdam said the state and the defence had agreed to a postponement.

“We will discuss everything to finalise the investigation by that time.”

Van Den Heever responded she wanted the investigations to be done as soon as possible because the twins had been incarcerated for a long time.

In line with the agreement, magistrate Du Plessis postponed the bail hearing to October 11 to allow for the high court review to go ahead first.

Police arrested the 23-year-old twins on July 9 after they searched their home and found documents that they said incriminated them in terror plots and planning to join the terror group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The twins have been charged with conspiracy and incitement to commit the crime of terrorism and conspiring and attempting to commit acts associated with terrorist activities.

Outside the court a small group of about 10 supporters held a banner demanding the release of the twins.

The supporters wore T-shirts with “Free the Thulsie Twins” on them.

The suspects will remain in custody until their next appearance.