Five days before Christmas, David Hicks refuses to speak to his father. He has also refused visits from Australian consulate officials. Sure doesn't sounds like a man in a fit mental state.

UPDATE: Hicks' father says Hicks is at breaking point:

"He's really struggling, he's just not coping," Mr Hicks said.

"For him to do that, it shows he's just not right. The emotional stress on him must be terrible...

"He has probably thought 'do I need to go through this mental stress' and speak to the family.

"The Australian government says he's OK ... but they're cold, they have got no heart, they don't care about him."