News AP News Trial of former Australian spy could hear evidence in secret

Trial of former Australian spy could hear evidence in secret

Lawyers prosecuting a former spy and his lawyer who accuse Australia of illegally bugging the East Timorese Cabinet during energy talks have made an application for closed trial

Trial of former Australian spy could hear evidence in secret Image Source : APTrial of former Australian spy could hear evidence in secret

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Lawyers prosecuting a former spy and his lawyer who accuse Australia of illegally bugging the East Timorese Cabinet while negotiating a deal to share oil and gas revenue have made an application that could lead to the court being closed during the trial.

The former spy and his lawyer Bernard Collaery have been charged with conspiracy to communicate secret information. The former spy cannot be identified.

Collaery's lawyer Chris Ward told the magistrate on Wednesday that the defense team had been informed of a request being made to issue a certificate that could lead to the court being closed.

Lawyers for Collaery and the former spy want to keep the court open.

Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.