Self-styled Iranian 'Sheikh' was gunman in Sydney hostage siege
- 9 years ago
This self-styled cleric was the gunman behind the hostage siege in Sydney that left three people dead.
Police say Man Haron Monis was an Iranian refugee who called himself a "spiritual healer".
He entered a popular cafe in the city's financial district Monday morning and took about 17 people hostage at gunpoint.
Monis was known for sending hate mail to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, as protest against Canberra's role in the Afghan conflict.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN REFUGEE, MAN HARON MONIS, SAYING:
"This pen is my god. And these words are my bullets. I fight with these weapons against OPPRESSION, to promote peace....We should care about Australia's interest, not America's interest. We are Australians."
More than 16 hours into the standoff ... this... (nats bang bang)
Heavily armed police stormed the cafe.
Within minutes, medics were removing the wounded.
Several hostages had already fled or escaped.
Police say Man Haron Monis was an Iranian refugee who called himself a "spiritual healer".
He entered a popular cafe in the city's financial district Monday morning and took about 17 people hostage at gunpoint.
Monis was known for sending hate mail to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, as protest against Canberra's role in the Afghan conflict.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN REFUGEE, MAN HARON MONIS, SAYING:
"This pen is my god. And these words are my bullets. I fight with these weapons against OPPRESSION, to promote peace....We should care about Australia's interest, not America's interest. We are Australians."
More than 16 hours into the standoff ... this... (nats bang bang)
Heavily armed police stormed the cafe.
Within minutes, medics were removing the wounded.
Several hostages had already fled or escaped.