Pakistan Air Force, cadet in Australia in sex charge (filmed female shower) arrest

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Pakistan Air Force, cadet in Australia in sex charge (filmed female shower) arrest

Amanda Parkinson, Dylan Welch
August 27, 2011

AN air force cadet studying at the scandal-hit Australian Defence Force Academy has been suspended after he was allegedly caught secretly filming a female cadet while she was showering.

Obaid Fayyaz, 21, was granted bail at the ACT Magistrates Court yesterday. He was arrested on Thursday night after a cadet found a mobile phone recording video in a vent above her shower cubicle in an ADFA dorm.

Mr Fayyaz's case is the latest allegation of sexual misconduct within Defence. Two military cadets were charged in April with broadcasting a sexual encounter with another female cadet over Skype.

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Outrage over how Defence managed that case saw the department's Minister, Stephen Smith, announce reviews and inquiries into the culture there.

On Thursday, he announced he would extend for the second time an inquiry by the law firm DLA Piper into allegations of abuse and misconduct. He said more than 1100 claims had been lodged between April and June.

Police seized a mobile phone, laptop computer and a memory stick from Mr Fayyaz's room and he spent the night in jail ahead of his court appearance.

Defence said no other cadets were under investigation.

Mr Fayyaz is understood to be a high-achieving engineering cadet with the Pakistan Air Force selected to train in Australia.

A spokesman for Mr Smith said Mr Fayyaz had been suspended from ADFA. ''Defence is in discussions with the Pakistan high commission regarding his circumstances,'' the spokesman said.

Those involved in the case would be supported, said Defence. ''Defence, including ADFA, takes allegations of unacceptable behaviour very seriously and will co-operate with the relevant authorities,'' a spokesman said.

ACT police did not oppose bail, but requested conditions, including that Mr Fayyaz must not go within 50 metres of the alleged victim or contact, assault, threaten or intimidate her. Mr Fayyaz also surrendered his Pakistani passport.

The matter will next be at court on September 9.



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