Bail application for Thulsie twins postponed

Twin brothers Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are facing terrorism-related charges. Photo: Supplied

Twin brothers Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, who are facing terrorism-related charges. Photo: Supplied

Published Jul 26, 2016

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Johannesburg - The bail application of twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, accused of terrorism, was postponed in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The matter was postponed to Thursday, after the court heard that the 23-year-old twins stated in their affidavits that they felt they were unlawfully arrested.

Prosecutor Chris MacAdam said that he had to research the issue that was brought up by the twins and would be ready to proceed and respond accordingly on Thursday.

Magistrate Pieter Du Plessis reiterated that this matter was meant to be brought up in their first appearance and the sooner it was dealt with the better.

Annelene Van den Heever, for the Thulsie twins, requested that Du Plessis make an order for them to be moved to the Sandton police station. Du Plessis said that this was not possible unless the head of the police station sent a form stating that they had the space to accommodate them.

He remanded the twins in custody and said he would sign the transfer to the Sandton police station if it arrived before 3.25pm, which is when the court adjourned for the day.

Some of the twins’ family members, who were sitting in the gallery, were crying while the court waited for Du Plessis to comment on the affidavits he was reading.

The Thulsie twins are accused of contravening the Terrorism Act and plotting to blow up the US Embassy and Jewish institutions in South Africa on behalf of terror group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

They were arrested along with two others on July 10, by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) during a operation in Newclare and Azaadville. The four had reportedly planned to go to Syria to join ISIL.

The Thulsie brothers both face three counts relating to engaging in acts of terrorism.

The provisional charge sheet indicates the twins had, during the period between October 2015 and and July 8, 2016, conspired to commit terrorist activities in Johannesburg.

The State alleges the brothers “unlawfully and intentionally conspired to commit the crime of terrorism”, planning to cause explosions at a mission of the United States of America and Jewish institutions located with South Africa.

The conspiracy and incitement were linked the “political, religious or ideological motives” of the ISIL, read the charges.

Another charge related to the alleged plan by the brothers to leave for Syria and join ISIL, “to engage in terrorist activity by conspiring to leave South Africa in order to join ISIL in Syria”.

The brothers were also charged with contravening the constitutional democracy of the country by attempting to commit acts associated with terrorist activities.

African News Agency

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