Australia denied access to citizen jailed in Kuwait

CANBERRA - Australian consular officials have been denied access to an Australian citizen believed to be facing terrorist charges in Kuwait and claiming to have been tortured in jail, the federal government said tonight.

Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and trade Bruce Billson said Australia had made 16 approaches to Kuwaiti authorities to gain access to the man, believed to be Tallaal Adrey.

He said Australia was unaware whether the man, thought to be from the Sydney suburb of Auburn, had been charged or what sentence he may face if convicted.

Adrey's mother and brother told ABC television through an interpreter he had been charged with plotting a terrorist attack in Kuwait and had been tortured by two men, whom he said had Australian accents.

"I've heard that and we're trying to see what that might point to," Mr Billson told ABC television when asked about the torture claims possibly involving Australians.

"There's been no consular people get anywhere near this gentleman, that's been the core of our concern.

"So at that level it seems not to be linked to any consular arrangements."

Mr Billson said when the government initially heard an Australian citizen was being detained in Kuwait, the Kuwaiti government denied it.

"And in pursuing that further we were able to establish that the individual has been detained," he said.

"Since then we've sought consular access to him, that's not been provided and we haven't been able to clarify what the charge is or the basis of the detention at this stage.

"We are aware that he's been detained, he has contacted our consular staff in Kuwait, he's made phone contact himself.

"Through those points of contact and discussions with his family we've been able to piece together some of the picture.

"But key details such as the nature of the charge, the basis of the detention, we've not been able to establish at this stage."

Mr Billson said the Australian government was very concerned about the torture claims and that was one of the reasons the government was so committed to providing consular assistance.

"We've heard that his health may not be well, his lawyers have assured us that he is fine, but we'd like to be satisfied ourselves that that is the case," he said.

"We've made 16 separate approaches to Kuwaiti authorities both in Kuwait itself and here in Australia pressing for access to see him and to see whether he is being treated in accordance with Kuwaiti law.

"At this stage we don't know what he's been charged (with), if he's in fact been charged at all, and therefore we're not sure what the sentence may be if he's found guilty."

- AAP