Australian prisoner ‘carves Islamic State slogan’ into cellmate’s head
The manager of the facility has been suspended but government denies Islamic radicalisation is a big problem in the prison system.
A radicalised prisoner allegedly carved an Islamic State slogan into the forehead of a fellow inmate in Australia, reports said on Monday, but officials denied extremism was a problem in the jail system.
The 18-year-old, named as Bourhan Hraichie, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and intentional choking following the incident after lockdown at the medium-security Kempsey prison north of Sydney last week.
He reportedly assaulted his cellmate then used a razor blade to carve “e4e” into his head, an apparent reference to the Islamic State group’s “eye for an eye” mantra, before placing a towel on his face and pouring boiling water over him.
The cellmate, who was rushed to hospital with injuries to his head and burns to the face, was initially reported to be a former soldier, although officials later distanced themselves from the claim.
What we are dealing with is not a systemic issue
New South Wales Corrections Minister David Elliott said he was outraged by the alleged attack.
“I will ask the Inspector of Custodial Services for a full and thorough investigation of the management of radicalised prisoners in the system, including the assault,” he told reporters.