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9/11 victim's families relieved over Osama death

Australian families of the victims of 9/11 and the war on terror are relieved over bin Laden’s death.

Paul Gyulavary lost his twin brother, Peter, in the World Trade Centre attack nearly 10 years ago.

Peter Gyulavary died in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre
Peter Gyulavary died in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre

Mr Gyulavary, of Olinda, in Melbourne’s east, says his immediate reaction to the news of bin Laden’s death is one of relief that justice has been done, but he also fears reprisals.

“I’m not rejoicing but there’s a sense of relief,” he told 7NEWS. “There is a nervousness – will there be reprisals?”

"But it's not going to mean that terrorism is hidden - al-Qaeda cells are still going to be around causing terrorism in the world," he said.

"And the fact that the main person, the symbol of terrorism, has been killed is not going to change things. Maybe it escalates things.

"I do understand why Americans are celebrating and rejoicing but I'm not sure how I feel."

Osama bin Laden. File Photo
Osama bin Laden. File Photo

He says bin Laden has done a great disservice to Islam and his death is a defining moment.

Peter Gyulavary, a father of one and architect, was on the 91st floor of the second tower when a plane crashed into the first. He had been preparing his evacuation when another hi-jacked plane tore through the second building.

His body was eventually found on Thanksgiving Day 2001.

Nine other Australians were killed when Islamic extremists ploughed two hi-jacked planes into the World Trade Centre in New York. The attacks claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people.

Mr Gyulavary told 7NEWS he is hoping to visit New York for the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack later this year.

Fallen soldier

Jennifer Ward’s soldier son Benjamin Ranaudo, 22, was killed by a roadside bomb in July 2009 while fighting in Afghanistan.

Jennifer Ward's son Benjamin Ranaudo (inset) died in Afghanistan
Jennifer Ward's son Benjamin Ranaudo (inset) died in Afghanistan

He was a member of the Townsville-based 1RAR, and was the eleventh soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

He had served in the army for three years and had been in Afghanistan for less than two months when he died.

“I wish he was here to see this, what they’ve achieved, what he’s helped achieve” she told 7NEWS.

“He gave his life to get to this point.”


Bali Bombings

Relatives of the victim's of the Bali bombings also expressed renewed grief for their loved ones.

Two hundred people - including 88 Australians - died in the attack on the tourist district of Kuta in 2002.

A suicide bomber entered a bar, while a car bomb exploded outside. A smaller device was detonated outside the U.S. Consulate in a nearby town.

Twenty-two of the 88 Australian victims of the bombings came from Victoria, including brothers Aaron and Justin Lee and Justin's wife, Stacey.

Their brother, Randal Lee, says he was pleased to hear about the death of the Al Qaeda leader.

"I think the world is a better place without him," he said.

"I think it's good that that chapter's been closed because obviously he would have inspired a lot of people, give credibility to Al Qaeda as far as the fact that he couldn't be caught for such a long time," he said.

"And now they have managed to get him, I think they might lose some of their inspiration as far as trying to recruit people because obviously it shows they aren't invincible."

The world's most wanted terrorists
The world's most wanted terrorists

He says bin Laden's death could still not replace his loved ones killed in Bali.

"The emotions aren't as raw with someone like Osama obviously; he was sort of a step removed in regards to Bali," Mr Lee said.

"Obviously he was a figurehead and there's got to be a point where you reach where you go 'well, I'm satisfied that a bit of justice's been done', because no matter how much they go through it and follow the revenge path, we're still not going to get them back."

Fitness instructor Joshua Deegan, 22, was killed in the attack on the Sari Club.

His father, Brian, has expressed relief at the news of bin Laden's death.

"A symbolic head of the al-Qaeda organisation has now paid the ultimate price for their crimes against innocents and against humanity," he said.

"It certainly wasn't one of glee in the form of revenge that he was part of the organisation that perhaps orchestrated [the Bali bombings], he's slaughtered many innocents in Bali and nothing can ever bring Joshua back.

"But for my remaining three children, it's a small amount of relief but nothing more."

While not a supporter of the death penalty, Mr Deegan says bin Laden's death is a good thing.

"For mankind and for purposes of peace, his demise, unfortunately, can only be a good thing," he said.



Many of those responsible for the Bali bombings have since been executed and some people believe bin Laden played no significant role in the planning of the attacks.

But Mr Deegan disputes that view, saying Al Qaeda had colluded with Jema'ah Islamiyah - the group which carried out the Bali bombing.

"Yes, he most certainly was. There were meetings between high echelon members of the group who were involved in the Bali bombing," he said.

The Islamic Council in Victoria hopes bin Laden’s death will bring closure.

Osama slaying

The terror mastermind and the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, was killed in a US security operation in Pakistan.

US officials stormed bin Laden's Pakistan compound and shot dead the terrorist leader, along with one of his wives, an adult son and two others.

After pulling off the killer shot, the operative then carried out what is called a "double tap" in the military - a second shot, most likely to the chest, to make sure bin Laden was dead.

A few hours later, the body of the terrorist figurehead was buried at sea.

The killing of the al-Qaeda leader marked the end of a decade-long search for the man who had eluded the US for so long.

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