Ninemsn 24th July 2019

Three convicted terrorists will spend more than a decade each behind bars for firebombing a Melbourne mosque in an attack motivated by hate, intolerance and malevolence.
Ahmed Mohamed and Abdullah Chaarani attempted once to burn the Imam Ali Islamic Centre at Fawkner in November 2016, before succeeding in a second attempt a month later, helped by Hatim Moukhaiber.
Mohamed and Chaarani must serve at least 17 years of a 22-year sentence, while Moukhaiber will be eligible for parole after 12 years of his maximum 16-year prison term.

The trio was found guilty by a jury in May.
The trial lasted for weeks, with Mohamed and Moukhaiber denying any involvement and Chaarani admitting he took part but claiming it was part of a protest, not terrorism.
"He did so with the intention of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, namely the advancement of Sunni Islam," Chaarani's lawyer said during the trial.
Mohamed and Chaarani have since apologised for their crimes and rejected Islamic State ideology during a pre-sentence plea hearing.
Moukhaiber did not consider himself to be radicalised, his barrister said previously.
© AAP 2019

Ahmed Mohamed, Abdullah Chaarani and Hatim Moukhaiber burned down the Fawkner mosque in December 2016, following a failed attempt by Mohamed and Chaarani the previous month.

Through his lawyer Chaarani admitted his role but claimed it wasn’t an act of terrorism but instead an act of protest or dissent.

“Your defence Chaarani was optimistic, burgeoning on entirely fanciful,” Justice Tinney said.

He said Chaarani submitted a well-written three page letter to the court expressing his “sorrow, shame and disgust” for the “cowardly action”.

He said Chaarani and Mohamed through their lawyers made public renunciations of Islamic State.

In a letter to the court Mohamed described his path to radicalisation and said his time in prison had helped him interact with people of many backgrounds and faiths.

Justice Tinney said Mohamed also thanked God for his guidance and showing Mohamed his wrongs before it was too late.

Justice Tinney described the letters and material submitted as “unconvincing, contrived and self-serving”.

He said Moukhaiber denied he had been radicalised.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/melbourne-mosque-terror-trio-jailed/news...

Ahmed Mohammed?  WHere did I hear that name before? Oh, yes, the little home made bomb-maker who said it was just a clock. Name is fate, what?  Ahmed Mohammed - what can go right??

Brian Ross wrote on Jul 24^th, 2019 at 8:18pm:


I know.

I've been watching the comments, and laughing my arse off.

John Smith wrote on Jul 24^th, 2019 at 8:29pm:


Indeed.

These guys did exactly what the right-wing extremists dream about, and yet they're condemning them.

I don't think they actually read the article.

Bobby. wrote on Jul 24^th, 2019 at 8:50pm:


Not in this country, Bobby Sox.

The premeditated, state-sanctioned killing of prisoners is just as bad as terrorism.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 24^th, 2019 at 8:35pm:
islamic terrorism is islamic terrorism pecca. the victim is irrelevent.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 25^th, 2019 at 10:10am:

This one did like a bunch of others that have occurred recently in Australia. This one flew under the medias radar for some reason???