Accused wanted to give up people smuggling, court told
ABC
13 November 2003

The District Court in Perth has been told a Palestinian man accused of people smuggling told a charter boat operator he wanted to get out of the business.

Michael Williamson is giving evidence to the trial of Keis Abd Rahim Asfoor, who was alleged to have organised 13 boatloads of asylum seekers to travel from Indonesia to Australia between 1999 and 2001.

Mr Williamson has told the court he was living in Indonesia in 2001 when Asfoor asked him for help getting an Australian visa.

He said Asfoor told him he was worried about being extradited to Australia because ASIO and Interpol were investigating people smuggling.

Mr Williamson said Asfoor told him he would travel to Australia, change his name, and apply for refugee status.

The trial continues.

X-URL: http://abc.net.au/news/australia/wa/metwa-13nov2003-14.htm

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