Bushfire arson suspect named.Summary: The first person to be charged with arson over the Australian bushfires has been named. The first person to be charged with arson over the Australian bushfires has been named. Brendan Sokaluk, 39, is facing one count of deadly arson and one of lighting a wildfire in connection to one of hundreds of blazes that swept southern Victoria state on February 7, killing more than 180 people and destroying almost 2,000 homes. Sokaluk chose to stay in police protective custody An arrangement whereby a person is safeguarded by law enforcement authorities in a location other than the person's home because his or her safety is seriously threatened. rather than attend the hearing at Melbourne Magistrate's Court at which the ban on naming him was lifted. He was arrested on Friday and charged with one count of arson causing death and one of lighting a wildfire in connection to the Churchill fire. Police documents presented to the court allege that Sokaluk "intentionally and without lawful excuse" set fire to a timber plantation in southeastern Victoria state, and by doing so caused the death of another person. The document did not name or give a number to the victims. The plantation blaze expanded in the extremely hot, dry and windy conditions on February 7 that fanned dozens of fires into raging infernos that reduced entire towns to ashes. It became known as the Churchill fire, which officials previously have said killed at least 21 people. However, officials cited only 11 deaths in court, and did not immediately explain the discrepancy. Sokaluk faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the deadly arson charge, and 15 years for the second arson charge. He was also charged with possessing child pornography Child pornography is the visual representation of minors under the age of 18 engaged in sexual activity or the visual representation of minors engaging in lewd or erotic behavior designed to arouse the viewer's sexual interest. , which carries a five-year maximum sentence. Police suspect arson in at least two other fires, but have ruled out foul play foul play n. Unfair or treacherous action, especially when involving violence. foul play Noun 1. violent activity esp. murder 2. in the remaining ones. Police say Sokaluk is being held in protective custody for his own safety, and is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation psychiatric evaluation The assessment of a person's mental, social, psychologic functionality. See DSM-IV-table multiaxial assessment, Personality testing, Psychiatric history, Psychiatric interview. . His lawyer, Helen Spowart, did not enter a plea on his behalf. He was ordered to remain in custody until another hearing on May 26. The possibility that arsonists were involved in Australia's deadliest fire disaster has prompted national fury. Victoria Police Chief Christine Nixon Biography Christine Nixon was appointed to the role of Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police by the Victorian government in 2001. Nixon has been a police officer for over thirty years, and interacting with people from all walks of life. said security around Sokaluk would be high, and urged people angry about possible arson to let the justice system do its work. Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved. Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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