The hero cop who saved lives by taking down the Lindt Cafe siege killer almost 10 years ago still can’t be named for legal reasons, and it’s hugely affecting his life.
On December 15-16 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in a 16-hour standoff with police.
Monis was armed with a pump 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 the Alpha team, shot and killed Monis, bringing the siege to an end in the early hours of the morning.
A decade on, hostage Louisa Hope told the Daily Telegraph that Officer A has ‘no freedom … he is still attached to this nightmare all because of a legal situation’.
Sydney Siege hostage Elly Chen runs from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, Monday, December 15, 2014
On December 15-16 2014, Islamist terrorist Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in 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 only understood by those who have ‘stared down death’.
She said the suppression of his name has prevented him from rebuilding his life after the tragedy and that it stops him for doing what he dearly wants to do – helping victims of crime.
The order keeping his name from the public is still active despite the coronial inquest into the siege being closed.
‘The man went to work that day and found himself caught up in a throng of the most challenging matters a police officer could face yet here we are 10 years later and he is still in this limbo state,’ Ms Hope said.
She added that all the police officers involved that day were heroes and that a ‘technicality’ should not be allowed to affect Officer A’s name from being revealed, especially as he in now retired from the force.
Ms Hope said he should be free to pass on his experience, skills and knowledge to help other people, but he can’t do so.
The NSW State Coroner, Teresa O’Sullivan, told Officer A she ‘has no power’ to allow his name to be known ‘as the proceedings are finalised’.
If he went public and made his name known anyway, he would face huge fines and could be jailed.
A spokesman for NSW Attorney General Michael Daley – who officer A has asked for help – said: ‘Generally, non-publication orders are a matter for the parties and the relevant court.
‘Anyone seeking to have a non-publication order varied or revoked should seek legal advice to consider the specific circumstances of their case.’
With the legal block on naming him remaining, Officer A is forced to hide his identity, which Ms Hope said is ‘morally wrong’ as he could be working for the good of the community.
‘I feel that it’s a bureaucratic injustice because the truth of the matter is this is unfinished business from the Lindt Cafe siege,’ she said.
Ms Hope has set up an online petition to ‘give Officer A back his name’.
Hostage Louisa Hope said Officer A has ‘no freedom … he is still attached to this nightmare all because of a legal situation’. Picture from St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Sydney
Terrorist Man Horon Monis used Ms Hope (pictured) to repeat his demands after taking hostages in the Lindt cafe in 2014. She is now an advocate for Officer A
People are pictured running with their hands up from the Lindt Cafe on December 16, 2014
She saw parallels with her story in the survivors of last month’s Bondi Junction stabbing murders of six people.
‘I’m very concerned about them. I know what’s ahead for them, lots of pressure from the media, society in general, the community. They have the inquest ahead of them which is a lot of hard work, looking for answers,’ she said.
Joel Cauchi, who murdered six people and injured 12 others was shot dead by a police officer in the Westfield shopping mall.
Unlike Officer A, that hero cop can be named – Amy Scott.
