Bob Brown’s fellow forest defender, Ali Alishah, has been remanded in jail until the 29 April 2024, after he would not commit to staying away from the Styx Valley of the Giants while logging continues. Alishah told the court that this prohibitive bail condition was written by Forestry Tasmania and was ridiculous.

Brown and Colette Harmsen have been bailed on condition of not entering any state forest until 29 April, but this condition will be challenged in the court in coming days.

“Ali is a prisoner of conscience,” Bob Brown said outside the court today.

“He is a very intelligent observer of human affairs and is appalled by the needless destruction of what is left of nature. I applaud his stand but am also appalled that he is in jail while those destroying the forests continue to rob future generations of their birthright.”

In the Hobart Magistrates court this afternoon, the prosecution claimed that the need for police to cut “lock-on” equipment created a danger to himself, this was disputed by Alishah’s counsel and, in the absence of police officers involved could not be resolved.

“It’s appalling that Ali Alishah is going to be held for twice as long as the Tasmanian state election. People should vote against forest destruction,” Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager said.