A magistrate lifted an order suppressing the name of 39-year-old Brendan Sokaluk, who prosecutors say started a fire that killed some 11 people and razed about 200 homes.

Sokaluk, who has been charged with arson causing death and intentionally lighting a bush fire, did not appear in court and was remanded in protective custody amid fears prison vigilantes would target him.

He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in jail if convicted on the arson charge and also stands accused of possessing child pornography.

Sokaluk was arrested in a small country town last Friday over a bush fire near Churchill east of Melbourne before being transferred to the Victoria state capital for his own safety.

He allegedly set fire to a timber plantation on February 7 and recklessly spread the flames, according to a police charge sheet tendered to the court.

The police document contained few personal details about Sokaluk but media reports said he worked for one year as a volunteer firefighter more than a decade ago before losing his position for unspecified reasons.

Earlier, state police chief Christine Nixon had appealed to the public to stay away from the court.

"We hope that we don't have to deal with a gang of people who are angry and concerned about this arrest. We know people are," Nixon told reporters.

"Coming to court and protesting is not an appropriate thing to do."

There was a heavy police presence in court for the hearing, although no angry protesters turned up.

However, Sokaluk's lawyer Helen Spowart said there was a real risk of vigilante attacks against her client and his family if his name was published.

Arguing that the suppression order on Sokaluk's name should remain in place, Spowart said community feelings about Australia's worst bushfires disaster were so strong that anyone accused of arson was in danger, even in prison.

"This is an extraordinary case," she told the court. "The level of emotion and anger and disgust that the alleged offences have aroused in the community is unprecedented.

"He remains in risk while in custody."

Prosecutor Chris Beale also argued the suppression order should stay, saying some prisoners angry over the fires "might take it upon themselves to seek retribution for what has occurred."

Magistrate John Klestadt ordered the suppression order to be lifted, ruling it would have little practical effect.

"Vigilantism would not be prevented ... in it's abhorrent way, simply by an order of the court suppressing his name," he said.

Police are still investigating other fires that raged through Victoria state, with arson suspected in at least one other major blaze that destroyed the town of Marysville and killed up to 100 people.

"Our teams are working hard. We hope to be able to come to some conclusions about that fire (Marysville), particularly, in the not too distant future," Nixon said.

Share This Article With Planet Earth

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Related Links
Forest and Wild Fires - News, Science and Technology

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News