Joseph T. Thomas
Joseph Terrence Thomas, known in Australia as Jihad Jack, was born in 1973. He travelled to Pakistan in 2001, returned in 2003, converted to Islam, and adopted the name Jihad. He trained in firearms and demolition with people linked to Al-Qaeda, and he became the first Australian to be charged under the anti-terrorism laws introduced after 9/11.
In March 2006, Thomas was convicted of a terrorism-related offense (receiving funds from Al-Qaeda) and a passport offense, and he was sentenced to five years in prison with a two-year non-parole period. His lawyer called the case a significant victory, but the trial included evidence from a Pakistani prison interview, which the appeals court later ruled should not have been admitted.
On 28 August 2006, after the main conviction, Thomas became the first Australian to be placed under a control order under the Australian Anti-Terrorism Act 2005. The order restricted his movements and contacts and was criticized by some judges for how it was applied.
On 20 December 2006, a retrial was ordered following a Four Corners program. On 23 October 2008, Thomas was found not guilty of the terrorism charges but guilty of the passport offense. He had already served nine months in detention. Justice Elizabeth Curtain ordered nine more months to be served, but released him on a recognizance order to be of good behavior for the remaining period, with a $1,000 bond.
Thomas was represented by Rob Stary during the case and later by Jim Kennan.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:51 (CET).