On 30 August 2018, Kamer Nizamdeen was arrested in Sydney on charges of suspected terrorism.

Over the years, the Australian judicial system has gained the confidence of the masses for observing superior standards of integrity in the administration of justice.

However, the only evidence taken into account in Kamer's circumstances was a notebook found at his old workstation (not in his possession) which he had misplaced months ago, before he recently travelled to his native Sri Lanka for a family reunion holiday in August. In it were notes related to terrorism that are not even in his handwriting.  

Since then, he has been denied access to a lawyer as well as to his family. This continues to be the unfortunate status quo – even as a mere suspect of an alleged crime, he has been stripped of basic rights. 

The media, both international and local, have been extremely irresponsible in their coverage of this story; he has carelessly been labelled an "ISIS affiliate" even though he is not being charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation. Moreover, they have unfairly portrayed personal photos of him edited upon backgrounds of actual ISIS militants in action, thus recklessly influencing the minds of the general public for the sake of media sensationalism. 

It is unthinkable that an "IT whizz who collaborated with NSW Police to help develop cybersecurity apps to protect people's data" would purportedly leave a notebook containing such content lying around a public campus.

Furthermore, the media have been dramatically vague as to his travel history. For instance, certain newspapers have falsely stated that he travelled to Tunisia (which never transpired) whilst others have stated that he "travelled to Sri Lanka and other areas" (whereas the only other area he visited was the USA to see family in November 2017). Additionally, the nature of the "electronic items seized from his flat for investigative purposes" was left ambiguous but meant personal belongings namely his Xbox, phone and laptop.

Kamer has had no criminal record whatsoever either in Australia or in Sri Lanka, and hails from a decent and reputable family in Colombo. The so-called “lone wolf” is known within the community for being an affectionate, open-minded, cheerful and courteous young Muslim adult who enjoys the simple things in life (good conversation, flavoured iced tea, cooking hearty meals, taking care of his cat, singing ‘70s songs, partying and working out at the gym). His warm attachment to his relatives and friends, whom he deeply values, is visibly apparent. Kamer liberally associates with people of all races and backgrounds back in multi-cultural Sri Lanka, and has been an earnest advocate of peace, tolerance and progress during times of civil unrest. 

Please join our cause to afford Kamer the respect he deserves.

#justiceforkamer
#innocentuntilprovenguilty