The hero cop who saved lives by taking out the Lindt Café siege killer almost 10 years ago still cannot be named for legal reasons, and it’s affecting his life immensely.
On December 15 and 16, 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages at the Lindt Café in Sydney’s Martin Place during a 16-hour standoff with police.
Monis was armed with a shotgun, which he used to kill cafe manager Tori Johnson, and said he had a bomb in his backpack.
Officer A, who was part of Alpha Team, shot and killed Monis, ending the siege in the early morning hours.
A decade later, hostage Louisa Hope told the Daily Telegraph that Officer A had “no freedom… he’s still tied to this nightmare because of a legal situation.”
Sydney siege hostage Elly Chen flees from Lindt cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, Monday December 15, 2014
On December 15 and 16, 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages at the Lindt Café in Sydney’s Martin Place during a 16-hour standoff with police (pictured).
Ms Hope, who suffered shrapnel wounds to her foot and stomach, and Officer A have since become friends, with a bond understood only by those who have “stared at death”.
She said the suppression of his name prevented him from rebuilding his life after the tragedy and it prevented him from doing what he desperately wanted to do: help victims of crime.
The order keeping his name secret is still in force despite the closure of the coronial investigation into the siege.
“The man went to work that day and found himself caught up in a host of some of the most difficult problems a police officer could face. Here we are ten years later and he is still in this state of limbo.” , said Ms. Hope.
She added that all the police officers involved that day were heroes and that a “technicality” should not prevent Officer A’s name from being revealed, especially as he is now retired from the force. of the order.
Ms Hope said he should be free to pass on his experience, skills and knowledge to help other people, but he cannot do that.
New South Wales state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan told Officer A she “has no authority” to allow her name to be known “when proceedings are finalized”.
If he went public and made his name known anyway, he would face huge fines and could be imprisoned.
A spokesperson for NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley – who Officer A turned to for help – said: “Generally, publication ban orders are a matter for the parties and the relevant court .
“Anyone seeking to have a publication ban varied or revoked should seek legal advice to consider the specific circumstances of their case. »
With the legal block on his name remaining, Officer A is forced to hide his identity, which Ms. Hope says is “morally wrong” because he could be working for the good of the community.
“I think it’s a bureaucratic injustice because the truth is that this is unfinished business following the Lindt Café siege,” she said.
Ms Hope has launched an online petition to “restore Officer A’s name”.
Hostage Louisa Hope said Agent A had “no freedom…he’s still tied to this nightmare because of a legal situation.” Photo of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Sydney
Terrorist Horon Monis used Ms Hope (pictured) to repeat his demands after taking hostages at the Lindt cafe in 2014. She is now defending Agent A.
People are pictured running with their hands raised from the Lindt cafe on December 16, 2014.
She saw parallels to her story in the survivors of the stabbing murders of six people in Bondi Junction last month.
“I am very worried about them. I know what awaits them, a lot of pressure from the media, from society in general, from the community. They have an investigation in front of them that requires a lot of work and searching for answers,” she said.
Joel Cauchi, who murdered six people and injured 12 others, was shot dead by a police officer in the Westfield mall.
Unlike Officer A, this hero cop can be named: Amy Scott.
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