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from the learn-anything-on-the-interwebz dept.
Australian Broadcast Corporation reports
Haisem Zahab, an Australian citizen, is alleged to have been researching how to develop laser missile detection equipment for IS and helping the extremists develop their own destructive missile arsenal.
...
"We will allege he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL," Commissioner Colvin said."Firstly, by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming guiding munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq.
"Secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISIL's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities."
...
Commissioner Colvin said Zahab, who is a trained electrician, had conducted "fairly sophisticated" research.
Mmm...aybe it is indeed a good time for Australia to kickstart its own space agency? I mean, look, if a trained electrician living outback manages to conduct a credible "fairly sophisticated research", perhaps the tech potential is quite high downunder.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 28 2017, @08:19PM (3 children)
Being a soldier without uniform of a sovereign nation at war with us, does the Geneva convention apply to the guy?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 28 2017, @08:36PM
Geneva convention only applies to *civilized* countries, as the US has shown it is trivial to get around conventions by using duplicitous labeling where terrorist != human and enhanced interrogation != torture. Since this guy is also an Australian citizen he probably faces stiffer punishment as a traitor or some such anyway.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 28 2017, @08:48PM (1 child)
Guess the applicable doctrine or international law here is Castle doctrine.You don't have to be a nation for it to be applicable. If somebody or some nation is about to fire a missile on your place of occupation, I would think that international law permits you to defend yourself. I guess that can be with passive laser detectors, since Castle doctrine would also allow you to use force.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by KiloByte on Tuesday February 28 2017, @09:07PM
The only applicable doctrine of the international law is "might makes right", with might being mostly interchangeable with monetary resources. The Daesh are not mighty enough nor they have mighty enough allies, thus they are not right. Doesn't matter if they're vile kill-all-unbelievers pushers of the Religion of Peace or valiant defenders of faith who form a sovereign nation, they're not liked by those with a bigger stick, thus no international court will find in their favour.
Ceterum censeo systemd esse delendam.