COURT: Alleged West Papua Insurgent Gerard Michael Little appearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court. PIC: Jonathan Bentley Source: The Courier-Mail
A DISABLED pensioner has been arrested at Brisbane Airport and charged with foreign incursion offences after allegedly going to Ukraine for military training and headed to West Papua as a mercenary, a court has heard.
Gerard Michael Little, 45, was refused bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of committing preparatory acts for incursion into foreign states between February and December, and training or performing drills in preparation for incursion in August this year.
It is alleged Little intended to travel to the strife-torn territory of West Papua and fight against the Indonesian Government as a mercenary, and used Facebook to garner support for his cause.
Little was arrested at Brisbane International Airport on Tuesday night as he was about to board a flight to Papua New Guinea, where he planned to "island-hop" to the province.
The grandfather, who had been visiting his dying father and 21-year-old cancer-stricken daughter in Toowoomba before his arrest, appeared relaxed as he rested his head against the back wall of the prisoner's dock, barefoot and wearing jeans and a white jumper.
Defence solicitor Nick Dore's application for bail on Little's behalf was opposed by Commonwealth prosecutor Justin Williams.
Mr Dore argued his client had been preparing to enter West Papua lawfully and provide a service on invitation.
"There's a big difference between someone entering a country on a mercenary basis uninvited - like someone in a Hollywood movie - and someone who is lawfully invited to attend," he said.
He said Little was unemployed on a disability pension and had travelled to the Ukraine to train with the International Bodyguard Association in August.
Mr Williams argued Little told police in 2003 he didn't believe in Australia's sovereignty and was a risk of fleeing, approaching witnesses and re-offending if granted bail.
He said Little posted comments on Facebook that supported his cause and stated his intention to travel to West Papua, but would not disclose what they were.
Magistrate Jacqui Payne retired to read material tendered to the court, including an objection to bail affidavit and statement of facts alleged by the Australian Federal Police.
Little's arrest came after six search warrants were executed as part of a joint operation in Queensland and Victoria on Tuesday.
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