Sydney gunman named as Man Haron Monis

Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis has been named as the man who has taken staff and customers hostage in Sydney Credit: EBU

The armed man at the centre of a siege in Sydney's Lindt Chocolat Cafe has been named as Man Haron Monis, a self-proclaimed sheikh who is currently on bail for more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges.

  • Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis was born Manteghi Bourjerdi

  • He is also know by the name Mohammad Hassan Manteghi

  • The 50-year-old was granted political asylum in Australia in 1996

  • In 2002 Monis faced charges of sexual assault said to have taken place under the guise of spiritual healing

  • In 2002 he also face charges of being an accessory to the murder of his former wife Noleen Hayson Pal

The 49-year-old was granted political asylum in Australia in 1996 Credit: EBU

  • He is currently on bail, facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges

  • He was convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009

  • His wife Amirah Droudis, 34, also pleaded guilty to assisting in the abusive letter writing

  • His former lawyer, Manny Conditsis, said Monis was an isolated figure who was acting alone. "His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness," he said.