Australia: Muslim cleric pleads guilty to sending offensive letters to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
A self-styled Muslim cleric has pleaded guilty to sending offensive letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and a trade official killed in the 2009 Marriott hotel bombing in Indonesia.
Man Haron Monis, also known as Sheik Haron, entered 12 guilty pleas on Monday in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court after a four-year legal battle to have the charges thrown out, including an unsuccessful High Court challenge.
The 49-year-old did not comment to media outside court but held up one hand to make a peace gesture with two fingers.
Court documents show he sent the letters within days of the deaths of seven soldiers and the trade official, who were killed between 2007 and 2009.
Sergeant Brett Till was killed in March 2009 and his wife and other family members received correspondence through the mail from Monis less than two weeks later.
"We sat in our homes reading these letters made out to be something supportive," Bree Till told reporters outside court.
"But then the juxtaposition, I suppose, of this man accusing my husband of being a child killer."
She also said Monis' High Court challenge made the situation worse.
"The fact that there was any question about whether this was right or wrong, that was difficult," Ms Till said.
Monis' co-accused Amirah Droudis pleaded guilty to one charge of aiding and abetting.
Monis will return to court on Tuesday for sentencing submissions.
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