TIOL-DDT 2375 · Monday, 16 June 2014 · story 8 of 8

Customs Harassment?

- SINCE June 2011, he has been detained about 30 times at airports.

- He has been interrogated and had his luggage searched, X-rayed and tested over a total of about 30 hours.

- He has no criminal record and Customs officers have never produced any evidence of wrongdoing.

- Customs officers questioned him about his travels, work, hobbies, life, family, friends, girlfriends and future plans.

- He answered the questions because he believed he would not be able leave the airports if he did not.

- Customs officers deprived him of his liberty, humiliated him, and subjected him to threats, indignity and mental injury.

- Customs officers read his personal diary and mocked him.

- He was accused of lying and having a mental illness.

- Customs officers demanded the password to his laptop, threatening to confiscate it for nine to 12 months if he did not provide it.

- He was threatened with a full cavity search.

Claims a frequent flier in a case filed in an Australian Court against the Customs Department seeking damages claiming he is suffering panic disorder, fear and anxiety and sleep deprivation, as well as loss of income.