Bikies' show of support for Hells Angels' legal battle

OFF THE WEIRE
By Larissa Cummings
From: The Daily Telegraph
July 24, 2010 12:00AM
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/bikies-show-of-support-for-hells-angels-legal-battle/story-e6frfkvr-1225896294055#ixzz0ud1xgyxM
THEY rumbled into Sydney in their club colours, parked their Harleys wherever they could, greeted each other with slaps on the back and headed into the NSW Supreme Court.

Among them were Comanchero, Bandidos, Outcasts, Ambassadors, members of Lone Wolf, God Squad and the Brotherhood Christian Motor Cycle Club.

They filed through the court's metal detectors in a show of support for the Hells Angels, as they prepared to fight a police application to have the club declared a criminal organisation.

The application - the first of its kind - comes under new "anti-bikie" laws introduced by the Rees government after last year's airport brawl between Hells Angels and Comanchero members, in which Anthony Zervas was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death.

Under the laws, club members can be ordered not to associate with each other under "control orders" and jailed if they defy them.

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In the first hearing of the application yesterday, the court was told former Hells Angels Sydney president Derek Wainohu had filed a High Court writ challenging the validity of the new laws and police powers to have the club declared a criminal organisation.

The move has forced a delay in the police application for at least eight weeks while the High Court challenge is dealt with.

In addition to the application, police tendered 12 boxes of documents plus DVDs containing alleged "criminal intelligence."

Details of the allegations against the club remain under wraps, with lawyers for both the police and the Hells Angels opposing the release of the application to the media.

Outside court, parking police made the most of the illegally parked bikes before their owners left the building.

Mr Wainohu declined to comment, however United Motorcycle Council of NSW spokesman Greg Hirst confirmed the High Court action had the full support of all member clubs. "Yesterday, Derek Wainohu filed a writ in the High Court of Australia seeking declarations that the Crimes Criminal Organisation Control Act of 2009 is invalid," he said.

"The basis of the writ is that the Act . . . undermines the integrity of the Supreme Court and is beyond the power of the legislation in NSW. The argument raises important matters of principle that affect all people in NSW."

He said the Constitution would be used to argue Mr Wainohu's case. "The UMC supports Mr Wainohu's battle and understands he will be doing his talking in court," he said. The application returns to court on September 27.