Johannesburg – Continuous delays in resolving the Thulsie case mean South Africa is walking down the path of a detention-without-trial system, while the state buys more time to build its case with the assistance of unknown foreign governments. The Thulsie case was postponed again this week until 17 January “for further investigation”. This means the twins will have been detained without trial for almost seven months by the time their case is heard. This has put considerable strain on the Thulsie family. According to a police affidavit seen earlier in the month by CAGE Africa, one reason police have requested the extension is because the individual analysing the data on the Thulsies’ electronic devices resigned in October. The new individual is currently being trained “by a foreign government” in data analysis. It is in the interests of all South Africans that the case is swiftly resolved in a fair and transparent manner and that the process does not become beholden to foreign agendas.
Feroze Boda, spokesperson for CAGE Africa, said:
“Questions must be asked about the motivation and modus operandi of the foreign government training the new individual in data analysis, and why they need so long. What is crucial is whether or not this mysterious government adheres to basic principles of international law and whether it is Islamophobic in nature.” “For the trial to be fair, both sides of the story must be told. It is already apparent that the ISIS contact allegedly in touch with one of the Thulsie brothers was an undercover US agent, who may well have encouraged incriminating statements and behaviours in order to create a terrorism case, as has happened in the majority of terrorism cases in the United States. This possibility needs to be considered so that the rule of law is respected.” “This case will set the tone for how Muslim conversations and opinions are viewed through the prism of counter-terrorism. We call on the court to adopt an independent and objective view and not fall under the spell of foreign governments who have their own agendas and often employ underhanded methods in the ‘War on Terror’.”
Press enquiries: press@cage.ngo
CC image courtesy of Emiliano Bar on Unsplash
<em>Johannesburg</em> – Continuous delays in resolving the Thulsie case mean South Africa is walking down the path of a detention-without-trial system, while the state buys more time to build its case with the assistance of unknown foreign governments.
The Thulsie case was postponed again this week until 17 January “for further investigation”. This means the twins will have been detained without trial for almost seven months by the time their case is heard. This has put considerable strain on the Thulsie family.
According to a police affidavit seen earlier in the month by CAGE Africa, one reason police have requested the extension is because the individual analysing the data on the Thulsies’ electronic devices resigned in October. The new individual is currently being trained “by a foreign government” in data analysis.
It is in the interests of all South Africans that the case is swiftly resolved in a fair and transparent manner and that the process does not become beholden to foreign agendas.
<h3>Karen Jayes, spokesperson for CAGE Africa, said:</h3>
“Questions must be asked about the motivation and modus operandi of the foreign government training the new individual in data analysis, and why they need so long. What is crucial is whether or not this mysterious government adheres to basic principles of international law and whether it is Islamophobic in nature.”
“For the trial to be fair, both sides of the story must be told. It is already apparent that the ISIS contact allegedly in touch with one of the Thulsie brothers <strong><a href="https://cage.ngo/press-release/isis-contact-in-thulsie-case-was-a-us-agent/">was an undercover US agent</a></strong>, who may well have encouraged incriminating statements and behaviours in order to create a terrorism case, as has happened in the majority of terrorism cases in the United States. This possibility needs to be considered so that the rule of law is respected.”
“This case will set the tone for how Muslim conversations and opinions are viewed through the prism of counter-terrorism. We call on the court to adopt an independent and objective view and not fall under the spell of foreign governments who have their own agendas and often employ underhanded methods in the ‘War on Terror’.”
<blockquote>Press enquiries:
<strong>Karen Jayes</strong>
<span style="color: #ff6600;">karen@cage.ngo</span>
+27 84 648 1425</blockquote>
<em>CC image courtesy of Emiliano Bar on Unsplash</em>
