http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5570677%255E2,00.html
Packer death threat 'silly'
November 27, 2002
A DEVOUT Muslim accused of threatening to kill Kerry Packer with anthrax a
month after last year's September 11 terrorist attacks has had charges
dismissed.
Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Rizwan Ahmed had written the threats on a
customer courtesy card after a night at Crown Casino, owned by Mr Packer,
Australia's richest man, on October 14 last year.
The court heard Mr Ahmed, a 25-year-old Indian student with permanent
residency, wrote words including "I pray you die", "you've taken my money"
and "anthrax is coming your way" on the card.
Casino security found the card the next day and alerted police, who tracked
Mr Ahmed down through fingerprints left on the complaint card.
In an interview with police, Mr Ahmed initially denied the accusations but
later admitted writing the card when police showed it to him.
Giving evidence today, Mr Ahmed said he had "no intention whatsoever" of
threatening Mr Packer and "it was just a stupid thing".
He told the court he followed his religion closely and prayed every day,
but also said he "prayed for a lot of things".
His friends had lost money at the casino that night but Mr Ahmed did not
gamble, he said.
Magistrate Noel Purcell accepted the evidence there was no intention to
seriously threaten Mr Packer and it was a "spur of the moment, silly thing
to do".
There was a "world of difference" between impolite behaviour and criminal
behaviour, Mr Purcell said before dismissing the charges.
Mr Ahmed had pleaded not guilty to counts of making a threat to kill and a
threat to inflict serious injury.
END
James Packer and the Church of Scientology
By Annette Sharp
November 24 2002
The Sun-Herald
James Packer is receiving instruction from an elite order in the Church of
Scientology.
The executive chairman of PBL and heir to Australia's richest fortune is
believed to have turned to the secretive organisation in an attempt to
regain control of his life after suffering a crisis of confidence following
the collapse of his marriage.
Scientology members include some of the world's most powerful film stars,
among them Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
MORE ON...
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/23/1037697937276.html
Hopefully a cruise missile will take him out.Or anthrax...
This year, two farms between Tatura and Rushworth, near Shepparton, were
quarantined after one animal on each property died from anthrax.
Dr Galvin said drought could be a factor in explaining the three cases:
poor pastures made cattle graze closer to the ground, increasing the chance
to contract anthrax if spores were present.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/25/1038173691988.html
Shouldn't the US ban au beef?
MANILA, Philippines (AP): The Philippines has banned beef imports from
Australia after anthrax was found on a farm in Victoria state, officials
said Wednesday.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/11/27/latest/9029Philippine&sec=latest
Save the cattle!
