Sympathising with monsters: the David Hicks case

David Hicks travelled to Pakistan in 2000, where he joined the Kashmiri militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In his own words: “Three months training. After which it is my decision whether to cross the line of control into Indian occupied Kashmir”…“ I learnt about weapons such as ballistic missiles, surface to surface and shoulder fired missiles, anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets, rapid fire heavy and light machine guns, pistols, AK47s, mines and explosives”. During his time with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hicks has admitted to taking part in an attack on Indian troops, and to firing “hundreds of bullets” into Indian territory.

Hicks later turned up in Afghanistan, where he attended at least four separate al-Qaida training camps, during which he changed his name to "Muhammad Dawood", and claims to have met with Osama bin Laden, referring to him as his “lovely brother’’.

At the time of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hicks was in the tribal regions of Northern Pakistan. Realising that America was about to invade, Hicks “armed himself with an AK-47 automatic rifle, ammunition, and grenades”, and crossed back into Afghanistan to help defend Taliban territory - he was arrested whilst guarding a tank near Kandahar airport.

Despite most of this evidence coming from his own admission, Hicks still maintains that he should not be considered a terrorist.

His defence for this period in his life?

On his time in Kashmir: “I participated in this exchange [of gunfire] under the orders and supervision of Captain Ali. We did not fire upon Indian soldiers or any other people. We only participated in the symbolic exchange of fire”. This “symbolic exchange of fire” killed not only Indian soldiers, but also two civilian children.

On his time at al-Qaida training camps: “I did not witness terrorist training, hear of terrorist activities, or any plans to commit acts of terror”. Rather, he filled his time by participating in “mostly sport oriented” activities, and by going on “lots of walks”. Are we meant to believe that Hicks spent his time with Osama bin Laden hiking and playing football?

On why he armed himself, and entered an active warzone in Afghanistan: “I left my passport and everything behind in Afghanistan”.

If this wasn’t so serious it would be laughable. This is Hicks trying to explain away his time in the company of three separate terrorist groups as "having a holiday": an accidental tourist who in the words of his military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, was just “a little unlucky”.

Suppose we do what no reasonable person could, and give Hicks the benefit of the doubt by accepting this implausible narrative. Then what are we supposed to make of statements such as these, made by Hicks during his time abroad: “The only true Muslims are those fighting”, “the West is full of poison”, “The Jews have complete financial and media control”, “I am now very well trained for jihad in weapons, some serious like anti-aircraft missiles”, “Allah will use his servants to punish non-believers in this world”.

Still sound like an unlucky tourist?

Well, strangely enough, for many people - Yes!