Man Haron Monis - what do we know about him

Man Haron Monis, the self-styled sheikh was the lone wolf gunman who was gunned down early this morning after holding a Sydney café hostage for 16 hours.

This is what we know about Man Haron Monis:

- Born in Iran, he had arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1996.

- He had converted from Shiism to Sunni Islam. Sunni-based hardliners often consider Shiites heretics, or rejectionists of true Islam. "I used to be a rafidi, but not anymore. Now I am a Muslim, Alhamdulillah," he said.

- The self-styled Sheikh, Haron was reported to have been convicted over sending offensive letters to the families of dead soldiers

- Australia media reported that Monis was on bail on charges of being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and for sexual and indecent assault

- His personal website, before it was taken down Tuesday, featured a banner photo with graphic images of dead Arab children, with the caption: "This is an evidence for the terrorism of America and its allies including Australia. The result of their airstrikes."

- Monis had claimed on his website that his children were "taken away by the Australian government" and that he is not allowed to contact them.

Monis was on bail for dozens of charges, including 22 of aggravated sexual assault and 14 of aggravated indecent assault, according to the Australian Associated Press.

- Monis has said the crimes he has been accused of in the past were attempts to smear him. "These cases are in fact political cases against this Muslim activist, not real criminal cases."

- He had compared himself to Wikileaks' Julian Assange on his website, saying both were activists facing government-backed smear campaigns.

- Monis had cited astrology, numerology, meditation and black magic among his expertise, according to reports

(Source AFP)