Man accused of Invasion Day bombing attempt identified
By AARON BUNCH
A magistrate has lifted a suppression order on the identity of a man accused of throwing a homemade bomb into an Invasion Day rally crowd in a terror act.
Liam Alexander Hall, 31, has been charged with engaging in a terrorist act over the incident in Perth on January 26.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Forrest Place in Perth’s city centre after police found an object containing volatile chemicals, nails and metal ball bearings.
An image of Liam Hall allegedly throwing a homemade bomb into the Perth crowd and his arrest. (WA POLICE)
Police allege Hall threw the explosive device from a walkway above the crowd of Indigenous people, families and supporters.
The device did not detonate despite a fuse allegedly being lit.
The incident has been declared an act of terror – the first in Western Australia’s history – with the case returning to court today.
Hall did not appear and the matter was adjourned to March 31 after a Commonwealth charge of engaging in a terrorist act was added to two State charges.
Medical report
Defence lawyer Simon Freitag said Hall was too unfit to appear in court due to health reasons.
“The accused is in a vulnerable mental health condition and he can’t even appear in court today,” he said.
Hall’s psychiatrist recommended a six-week adjournment for the case so he could be medically treated, he said.
A plea cannot be considered until this has occurred, Mr Freitag said.
A state forensic mental health service medical report with the doctor’s findings was submitted to the court.
Racially motivated
Magistrate Lynette Dias later lifted a suppression order on Hall’s identity after hearing submissions from a Commonwealth prosecutor and lawyers for various media outlets.
“Given the serious nature of these charges and fundamental principles relating to open justice, I do not consider that issues relating to the accused’s interests and his personal circumstances justify displacing the usual practice of naming accused persons,” she said.
If Hall is found guilty of the terrorism offence, he faces life behind bars.
He is yet to enter pleas to any of the charges, which also include an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
Indigenous groups have been critical of the delay in declaring the incident a terrorist act. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Police will allege the incident was a nationalist and racially motivated attack targeting First Nations people at the protest.
The man was self-radicalised and acted alone, police previously said.
He had allegedly accessed “bomb making instructions” and “pro-white male” material online, and was “accessing and participating in the ideology”.
Double standards
The incident has left First Nations Australians fearful and angry, as they come to terms with the allegedly targeted attack.
Indigenous groups have criticised authorities for not immediately declaring it a terrorist act amid cries of double standards and racism.
Police defended the nine-day delay, saying investigators needed to gather evidence on the alleged bomber’s motivation and ideology so it could be legally proved in court.
Last month, the court heard Hall had been diagnosed with autism and would face significant hardship in custody.
Hall was initially granted a suppression order over his identity, location and medical condition due to fears for his safety.
Commonwealth prosecutor Kirsten Nelson said Hall’s safety could be managed in custody, as she advocated for the suppression order to be lifted.
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