A lawyer representing a Sydney woman facing terrorism-related charges says hysteria over the word "terrorism" has seen her client jailed in inhumane conditions.
The Supreme Court heard 18-year-old Alo-Bridget Namoa is accused of possessing a tactical hunting knife and a document written in Arabic, allegedly detailing how to make an improvised explosive device.
She was charged separately for refusing to answer questions at the New South Wales Crime Commission about her 18-year-old husband Sameh Bayda, who is also facing terrorism charges.
The court heard Namoa suffers from "ongoing, debilitating anxiety and depression" and is likely to apply for bail on the lesser charges of refusing to answer police questions.
Lawyer Sophie Toomey told the court Namoa was treated for mental health problems in school, before she was transferred to special schooling where she was "mandated for treatment at school and with an independent psychologist".
Speaking outside the court, Ms Toomey said she was concerned for her client's welfare.
She's extremely distressed," she said.
"She's a young woman who is currently being deprived of access to her family who are not yet cleared by Federal Police to visit her in custody.
"She is alone in a cell 23 hours a day and she is only released from her cell to have moments of sunlight. She has no access to anyone — not even me ... They have not yet cleared me to see my client in custody."
Namoa appeared via video link from Silverwater jail and was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and brown hijab when she was escorted to the room in handcuffs.
She looked at the floor for most of the hearing.
"Everything about the way they're treating this young woman is unusual. And not in the interests of justice," Ms Toomey said.
"She's a very, very frightened young woman. And there are plenty of people charged with extremely serious offences who are not being treated the way Ms Namoa is."
Namoa is accused of state and Commonwealth offences. The Crown applied for a detention order on the state charges, in case Namoa later applies for bail on the Commonwealth terror charges.
The judge ruled that both applications should be heard together.
The matter is due to be mentioned in the Supreme Court again on March 14.