Alex Moumbaris was born in Egypt to French parents and later became a naturalised Australian. He worked as a trade unionist and came to South Africa in 1973.
His wife was detained during the same period of his detention, but was later released without charge.
Moumbaris was charged under the Terrorism Act in January 1973. He was found guilty of conspiring with the ANC to instigate violent revolution in South Africa, aiding ‘terrorists’, distributing ANC pamphlets in Durban in 1968 and reconnoitering the Transkei to find places for seaborne landings.
He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in June 1973, which he would serve in the Pretoria Local Prison.
In 1979 Moumbaris, Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee escaped from prison.