| NickN |
4th February 2009 08:14 AM |
Former aviation engineer jailed for 15 years for terrorist plot
From todays paper online.....
Quote:
AN EXTREMIST Muslim cleric and six unrepentant followers were yesterday jailed for their roles in a home-grown terror cell.
Sentencing Abdul Nacer Benbrika to a maximum of 15 years, Justice Bernard Bongiorno said the band of "brothers" posed a significant threat.
He said the former aviation engineer held enormous influence over the young men who followed his fanatical beliefs.
He said the group "constituted a significant threat that a terrorist act would be or would have, by now, been committed here".
Justice Bongiorno said the fact the group was "less than professional" and had made no specific plans of attack mattered little.
The court heard Benbrika openly encouraged members to engage in terrorism, lauded al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and believed violence would coerce the Australian Government into withdrawing forces from Iraq.
Benbrika, 48, became the first Australian convicted of leading a terror organisation when a jury last September found him and six others guilty of being members of a terrorist organisation.
He was yesterday jailed for 15 years, with a minimum of 12 years, for directing and being a member of the unnamed terror cell and possessing a CD connected with the preparation of a terrorist act.
Justice Bongiorno said a significant factor in sentencing was none of the seven men had denounced violent jihad or shown remorse.
The judge said, of the other men, Aimen Joud, 23, had been an exuberant and impatient cell leader and Amer Haddara, 29, "dangerous into the future".
The men received mitigation for good behaviour and co-operation throughout the lengthy trial.
Aimen Joud, 23, and Ahmad Raad, 25, received 10-year sentences; Ezzit Raad, 26, received 7½ years and Fadl Sayadi, 28, eight. Amer Haddara, 29, and Abdullah Merhi, 23, each received six years.
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001021,00.html
You would like to hope no other aviation industry types are involved in this kind of stuff, especially if they have airside access, background checks don't anticipate what someone may do in the future! |
