Jury hears final arguments in SIEV-X trial

ABC
3 June 2005

The prosecution and defence counsels have delivered their final summaries in the trial of an alleged people smuggler before the Supreme Court in Brisbane.

Iraqi national Khaleed Daoed is accused of helping to organise boat trips to Australia for asylum seekers, including that of the ill-fated SIEV-X boat.

More than 350 Iraqi asylum seekers drowned when the vessel sank en route from Indonesia in October 2001.

Daoed has denied involvement and has pleaded not guilty to two charges of aiding in a people smuggling operation.

In summing up, the crown prosecutor told jurors to consider the testimony of refugees who he said had spoken of Daoed's role in organising the voyage.

The trial is expected to wrap up early next week.

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