Title: Re: unrepentant muslims
Post by Sprintcyclist on Jul 17th, 2015 at 6:58pm
Quote:.............But Justice Bongiorno said he did not believe the group had plotted to blow up specific targets and dismissed the evidence of a key prosecution witness, who he labelled a liar and a cheat.
Izzydeen Atik had claimed Benbrika told him the terror cell had planned to bomb the casino on Grand Prix weekend in 2006 and the MCG on Grand Final day in 2005 and the 2006 NAB Cup.
Atik had been a member of the terror cell before pleading guilty to belonging to a terrorist organisation in July 2007 and was jailed for a minimum of just over four years.
Justice Bongiorno said Atik was a "fraudster of significant accomplishment'' who had managed to rip off the social security system while living in a luxury townhouse and employing a butler.
At the same time, he was earning thousands of dollars a month from a credit card scam, the court heard.
Remy van de Wiel, QC, had argued at pre-sentence hearings that Benbrika's sentence should be tempered because he suffered from depression and an undiagnosed medical condition which caused him to have "embarrassing involuntary movements'' and would make his prison time more stressful.
He had said Benbrika had not properly led the group, which had never grown beyond an "embryonic terrorist organisation''.
"He vacillated. He was inconsistent. He was unskilled in terrorism matters. He had but a limited ability to direct anything,'' Justice Bongiorno said Mr van de Wiel had told the court.
But Justice Bongiorno said while the men's crimes had not been as serious as if Atik's evidence was accepted, the terror group had still posed a "significant threat'' and may have carried out a terrorist attack if not stopped.
He said the evidence suggested that Benbrika was still committed to violent jihad, had shown no contrition for his offences and had talked about continuing the group's activities behind bars if its members were jailed.
Six of Benbrika's followers, aged in their 20s, from Melbourne's western and northern suburbs, were also sentenced today.
Aimen Joud, 24, of Hoppers Crossing, was handed a minimum sentence of seven-and-a-half years' prison.
He had been found guilty of being a member, leader and administrator of the group, trying to garner funds for the group and possessing two compact discs connected with the planning of a terrorist act.
Justice Bongiorno said there was no doubt Joud was committed to violent jihad and covertly recorded telephone conversations revealed he worried the group was not moving quickly enough.
The other minimum jail sentences handed down by Justice Bongiorno were:
Six years for Fadl Sayadi, 29, of Coburg, for being a member, leader and administrator of the group;.............. |
| http://www.smh.com.au/national/benbrika-jailed-for-15-years-20090203-7w7y.html
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