Hawks nab terrorist suspects

Thulsie twins to remain in jail until October

Johannesburg - The bail application of jailed twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are accused of plotting terror attacks on Jewish and US interests in South Africa, was postponed on Thursday 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.

Johannesburg - The bail application of jailed twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are accused of plotting terror attacks on Jewish and US interests in South Africa, was postponed on Thursday 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 concede they did not have an arrest warrant but say they acted lawfully.

Last week on Monday 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 told the magistrates court she would seek a high Court review of the ruling.

On Thursday Magistrate Pieter du Plessis told Van Den Heever that he was notified that there was an application at the High Court to rule if the search warrant was lawful.

State prosecutor, Chris MacAdam, told the court that on the 19th August the twins brought an application to the High Court for review arguing against the magistrate’s ruling that the accused were lawfully arrested.

He said the matter was struck off the roll on the bases that it had to be heard at a review which had to be done by two judges.
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More at: http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/thulsie-twins-to-remain-in-jail-until-october-2061036
 
Terror accused brother, sister traumatised by arrest - lawyer

Johannesburg - Two siblings from Azaadville, west of Johannesburg, have had to deal with the trauma of being arrested after being caught with explosive ammunition at their home during a raid earlier this year.

"Obviously an arrest is traumatic, publicity is traumatic, it's been traumatic since the start," their lawyer, Yousha Tayob, told News24 shortly after the pair appeared in the Kagiso Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

He said the level of trauma had since settled down and they were now "fine".

Ibrahim and his sister Fatima Patel had appeared on charges of possession of unlicensed ammunition and explosives. This was after a raid was carried out at their home in Azaadville.

Both were out on bail of R5 000, with strict conditions, including that they report to the Kagiso police station twice a week and stay within the Gauteng province at all times.

During their appearance, Ismail was dressed in a black robe, a thawb, with a black and white keffiyeh scarf covering his head, slightly hiding his face. Fatima was dressed in a full burqa with only her eyes showing.

The court heard that, since the pair's last appearance in July, Fatima had got married and was now living near Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal. Tayob asked the court to amend her bail conditions after submitting a marriage certificate as proof.

Second pair of terror-linked siblings

The court also heard that the bail conditions were an inconvenience to Ibrahim who was in the livestock business and often needed to travel in and out of the province.

Magistrate Jacob Mamabolo granted both parties amendments to their bail conditions.

The matter was postponed to September 28 for the State to furnish Tayob with a copy of the docket and for a decision to be made on whether the matter be transferred to a regional court.

Prosecutor Thabo Ntlailane told the court that the State had completed its investigations and was ready to proceed with the matter.

Tayob would not be drawn on how confident he was about winning the case.

"There are a number of options available to us once we get the docket and we’ll make a decision when we get it," he said.

The Patels are the second pair of siblings who have been caught in possession of explosives which authorities suspect may be linked to the Islamic State.

Earlier this year, Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie were arrested and charged with terrorism-related charges. They were believed to have had plans of setting off explosives at a US embassy and "Jewish institutions" in South Africa.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...-sister-traumatised-by-arrest-lawyer-20160920
 
schumi said:
Johannesburg - Two siblings from Azaadville, west of Johannesburg, have had to deal with the trauma of being arrested after being caught with explosive ammunition at their home during a raid earlier this year.

"Obviously an arrest is traumatic, publicity is traumatic, it's been traumatic since the start," their lawyer, Yousha Tayob, told News24 shortly after the pair appeared in the Kagiso Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

He said the level of trauma had since settled down and they were now "fine".

Ibrahim and his sister Fatima Patel had appeared on charges of possession of unlicensed ammunition and explosives. This was after a raid was carried out at their home in Azaadville.

Both were out on bail of R5 000, with strict conditions, including that they report to the Kagiso police station twice a week and stay within the Gauteng province at all times.

During their appearance, Ismail was dressed in a black robe, a thawb, with a black and white keffiyeh scarf covering his head, slightly hiding his face. Fatima was dressed in a full burqa with only her eyes showing.
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Who's Ismail?
 
Thulsie twins terror case delayed again

Johannesburg - Twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie – who were arrested for allegedly plotting terror attacks on American and Jewish interests in South Africa – appeared in court on Friday, but the state was not ready to proceed resulting in the matter being postponed.
State prosecutor Chris MacAdam on Friday told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that more time was needed to investigate the matter.

Defence advocate Anneline van den Heever told the court the state arrested her clients even though it was obvious from the numerous postponements that the state was not ready to proceed.
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More at: http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/thulsie-twins-terror-case-delayed-again-2086997
 
Arrests in Kenya and Britain allegedly linked to Thulsie twins, court hears

Johannesburg - The arrest of two suspects in Kenya and Britain was allegedly linked to the case of terror accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Chris MacAdam said evidence in those cases allegedly linked to the twin's case.

He said they had become aware of the arrests after the twins' last court appearance.

The Thulsies made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday morning.

Their mother sobbed silently during the court proceedings, while being held by a family member.

MacAdam asked that the matter could be postponed for the State to finalise their investigation.

"The major issue is ensuring key evidence from different states. These are serious cases and we are under international obligation," MacAdam said.



Jurisdiction issues

MacAdam said that the US also had jurisdiction over the case and that they had registered a local case and would subpoena service providers.

He said senior British officials had met with the investigating officer to see what information was available in SA.

The twins were arrested during raids in Newclare and Azaadville, on the West Rand, on July 9.

They face three counts of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

According to their charge sheet, the brothers, who were arrested along with siblings Ebrahim and Fatima Patel, were allegedly linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group.

They were allegedly planning to set off explosives at a US embassy and "Jewish institutions" in SA.

The investigating officer found that the twins had allegedly been active on social media prior to their arrests, allegedly discussing matters that could incriminate them.

'Wishy-washy statement'

The State also approached the Syrian and Turkish governments, because there was information that the twins wanted to join the fighting in Syria, MacAdam said.

Their lawyer, Annelene van den Heever, argued that there had been an unreasonable delay in the case.

"These are nothing but speculation and the court cannot rely on a 'wishy-washy' statement. The court needs to rely on facts to grant a postponement," van den Heever said.

Van den Heever said the State needed to tell the court how long it was going to take and what was needed.

"When these matters go across international borders, they are tied to protocols," Magistrate Pieter du Plessis told Van den Heever.

The case was postponed to Friday.

[video=youtube;cfqZK1e2awY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfqZK1e2awY[/video]

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...-linked-to-thulsie-twins-court-hears-20170117
 
Strike Thulsie twins' case off the roll - defence

Johannesburg - The case of terror accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie should be struck off the roll, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court heard on Friday.

Their lawyer, Annelene van den Heever, argued that the State needed to get its house in order.

"This matter should be struck off the roll and reinstated when the State has more evidence to place the matter back on the roll," she said.

Magistrate Pieter du Plessis reminded her of the seriousness of the case.

Van den Heever was objecting to the State's request for a postponement to allow for further investigations.

The twins were arrested in July last year during raids in Newclare and Azaadville, on the West Rand. They face three counts of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

State claims strong case

According to their charge sheet, the brothers, who were arrested along with siblings Ebrahim and Fatima Patel, were allegedly linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group and were allegedly planning to set off explosives at a US embassy and "Jewish institutions" in SA.

Prosecutor Chris MacAdam said the twins chose to abandon their bail applications in October.

"They cannot complain that they are unlawfully kept in custody," MacAdam said.

MacAdam said the State had a strong case. The investigating officer had found a press statement relating to the terror attacks in Paris in November 2015 on one of twins’ devices. He did not say who had issued this statement.

They had found a document, Mujahid Guide 2015 - How to survive in the West, on one of the devices. A mujahid is one who is engaged in the act of jihad.

On Tuesday, MacAdam told the court that the investigating officer had discovered that the twins had been active on social media prior to their arrests, and were allegedly discussing matters that could incriminate them.

Case postponed

He said the arrests of two suspects in Kenya and Britain were allegedly linked to the case against the twins.

MacAdam said US authorities also had jurisdiction over the case and had registered a local case, and would subpoena service providers. He did not elaborate. He said senior British officials had met the investigating officer.

The State had approached the Syrian and Turkish governments because there was information that the twins had wanted to go to Syria, MacAdam said.

The matter was postponed to January 25 for a ruling on whether or not to grant the State a postponement to late April for further investigations.

After the proceedings, the twins blew their mother kisses and made their way down from the dock.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Louw told reporters outside court that the investigation was complex.

"According to information gathered, we are convinced that we have a case against the twins. As the State, we asked for a postponement to gather more information for trial."

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/strike-thulsie-twins-case-off-the-roll-defence-20170120
 
State granted extension in terror-accused twins' case

Johannesburg – The State was on Wednesday granted a three-month postponement to continue gathering evidence from international sources against terror-accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie.

During court proceedings last week, prosecutor Chris MacAdam said the State would withdraw the charges if no evidence materialised from the international countries it was collaborating with.

The State argued the postponement was necessary to consult the governments of the US Britain, France Kenya, Mozambique Syria and Turkey to gather further evidence in the case.

In granting the postponement, magistrate Peter du Plessis said the State had proved it was not an unreasonable request.

“It’s far more complex to get international collaboration than to take a statement from a witness locally. This isn’t just walking into a house and sitting down to question the witness,” he said.

“South Africa is part of an international body of nations that has ascribed to a certain attitude towards terrorism. We have to support and assist each other in the prevention and protection of terrorist-related activities.

“The State has a duty both to our society and to other nations to take all the lawful steps for effective prosecution,” Du Plessis added.
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More at: http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/state-granted-extension-in-terror-accused-twins-case-7509105
 
During court proceedings last week, prosecutor Chris MacAdam said the State would withdraw the charges if no evidence materialised from the international countries it was collaborating with.
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So they did not have a case before, and now pinning their hopes on these international arrests. Becoming a rather sceptical exercise. From rock solid case to this...?
 
New charge of fraud in Thulsie twins case

Johannesburg - The State has added a new charge of fraud in the case of twin brothers accused of planning to set off explosives at a US embassy and at "Jewish institutions".

Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, 23, appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday where the State submitted a provisional indictment to the court.

A female in the public gallery blew the pair a kiss as they walked down the dock.

They both face 11 counts including contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

The State added the 12th count of fraud which was allegedly committed in the Free State in 2015.

According to the indictment handed over to the court: On August 9, 2015 at the magisterial district of Ficksburg in the Free State the accused "unlawfully and with intent to defraud, presented Lesotho passport in the names of Christian Adam Leroy and Germain Adams Troy to department of home affairs manning [the] border post between South Africa and Lesotho as being their own valid passports".

Social media activity

The State further allege that the accused were aware that the passports were false, as well as their names.

Prosecutor Chris MacAdam asked the court to postpone the matter to May 15 in order to deal with the centralisation process of the fraud charge which is outside the jurisdiction of Gauteng.

In January, their case was postponed for further investigation.

At the time, their lawyer Annelene van den Heever argued that the case should be struck off the roll and that the State needed to get its house in order.

"This matter should be struck off the roll and reinstated when the State has more evidence to place the matter back on the roll," she said at the time.

The twins were arrested in July 2016 during raids in Newclare and Azaadville on the West Rand.

According to their charge sheet, the brothers, who were arrested along with siblings Ebrahim and Fatima Patel, were allegedly linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group and were allegedly planning to set off explosives at a US embassy and "Jewish institutions" in SA.

The investigating officer found the twins had been active on social media prior to their arrests, allegedly discussing matters that could incriminate them.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/new-charge-of-fraud-in-thulsie-twins-case-20170425
 
Source: Times Live

Zapiro‚ King David High School named as 'targets' of the Thulsie twins

This is one the 12 counts contained in a 13-page provisional indictment against the identical twins. The Thulsies on Tuesday appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court‚ where their case was postponed to next month.

The 23-year-old brothers allegedly attempted to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State and allegedly made plans to attack US‚ UK‚ Russian and Jewish interests in South Africa.

In the indictment the state alleges that Shapiro‚ who is known under the pseudonym Zapiro‚ was one of these targets.

“The said terrorist activities would have been perpetrated using firearms‚ explosives and possibly poisons and would have been directed against: the High Commission of the United Kingdom in Pretoria‚ the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Pretoria‚ the Embassy of the United States of America in Pretoria‚ the First Secretary to the French Mission in South Africa (Pretoria)‚ Mr J-B MP Prouhet [and] Jonathan Shapiro‚ a South African Jewish cartoonist.”

Seven other alleged targets were included in the list‚ including King David High School in Linksfield‚ Johannesburg‚ and Jewish investment manager Roy Topol.

The plans for the attacks were allegedly made by the brothers between August 2015 and July 2016. They were arrested on July 9‚ 2016 after their homes were searched by the police.

The state also alleges that Tony-Lee communicated with Abu Fidaa‚ an ISIS network‚ and others‚ whose identities are unknown to the state‚ about killing “Zapiro who drew the Messenger of Allah cartoon”.

The 12th count in the matter alleges that the brothers attempted to leave the country through the Ficksburg border post in the Free State‚ using fraudulent Lesotho passports in August 2015.

The case was postponed at the request of prosecutor Chris MacAdam‚ in order to finalise whether this count‚ which falls outside the jurisdiction of the Gauteng High Court‚ will be tried together with the other counts.

The Thulsies‚ who come from Newclare‚ west of Johannesburg‚ are due back in court on May 15 to finalise the transfer of the case to the High Court.

Family members of the brothers expressed annoyance at the postponement after proceedings wrapped up.
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