Fed: Thomas offered list of lawyers by consular officials
CANBERRA, Feb 14 AAP - Embassy officials have offered Australian al-Qaeda suspect JackThomas a list of private lawyers and plan to make a second visit to him in Pakistan.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) head of consular branch Rod Smith saidembassy staff visited Thomas, from Melbourne, on January 22.
Thomas, 29, has been detained in Pakistan since January 4 on suspicion of trainingwith the al-Qaeda terrorist group.
Mr Smith said during the visit by consular staff Thomas was handed a list of possiblelawyers and his family was informed of his health.
He said Thomas was in good health and appeared to be well treated by Pakistan authorities.
Mr Smith said consular officials remained in touch with Pakistani authorities regardingcharges that may be laid against Thomas.
"The first thing we did is to advise Mr Thomas' family in Australia of the consularvisit and assured them as we could about his health and the nature of his treatment,"
he told a Senate estimates hearing.
"One thing ... we did as part of our normal consular assistance is provide Mr Thomaswith a list of possible lawyers.
"Whether or not he follows up on that is his own decision because it would become aprivate legal matter.
"I don't have any details to hand ... of other specific follow-ups pursuant to otherconsular visit with the possible exception I should add that we continue to follow upwith the Pakistani authorities the question of the specific charges which are being consideredin respect of Mr Thomas."
Mr Smith said a second visit to Thomas was planned.
"My expectation is we would have additional further consulate visits, I don't knowif a specific date has been set," he said.
Mr Smith could not answer whether Thomas was likely to be moved from Pakistan to theUnited States military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, saying it did not fall within DFAT"sresponsibilities.
AAP sm/sb/gl/de
KEYWORD: TERROR THOMAS
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