NSW: Five accused attended guerrilla training camps, court told
13 Nov 2008 5:45 PM
By Amy Coopes
SYDNEY, Nov 13 AAP - Five Sydney terror accused undertook guerrilla training on properties in western NSW in preparation for holy war, a jury has beentold.
The five - Khaled Cheikho, 35, Moustafa Cheikho, 31, Mohamed Ali Elomar, 43, Abdul Rakib Hasan, 39, and Mohammed Omar Jamal, 24 - are standing trial in the NSW Supreme Court over an alleged terrorist conspiracy.
They have each pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to commit actsin preparation for a terrorist act.
Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment SC today began detailing to jurors 110 events alleged to constitute the conspiracy.
Following the guidance of a document called "the terrorist handbook" and other extremist literature, Mr Maidment said the five began preparing in earnest to fulfil their obligation as healthy Muslims to carry out jihad.
They went on two survival and sniper-style training camps near Bourke in western NSW, purchasing large quantities of camping equipment, maps and weapons, he said.
They allegedly sought radio scanners, night-vision goggles and other military-style equipment and Mr Maidment said a dozen firearms were found during raids on Elomar's home.
In the months before the first camp in March 2005, Elomar is alleged to have ordered 10,000 rounds of ammunition and two telescopic lenses worth a total5,675.
A further 8,000 rounds were sought through an associate named George Lord between April and June of that year, Mr Maidment said.
Police searches of the two properties where the training camps were held - Curranyalpa and Mulga Creek station - allegedly uncovered large quantities of spent ammunition and other evidence of target practice.
A burnt-out car battery with spark plugs attached was also found at the Curranyalpa station.
"The crown says this is consistent with the notion of an mujahid (holy warrior) engaging in training," Mr Maidment said.
"It's consistent with participation in a conspiracy of the kind the crown alleges."
As part of their quest for sulphuric acid to make bombs, Mr Maidment said the men attempted to establish a second-hand battery business.
They sought, at various times, unusual quantities of hydrogen peroxide or bleach, and distilled water.
They also tried to obtain 60 litres of acetone, or nail polish remover, andfrequented hairdressers, hardware shops and pharmacies in search for bombmaking material.
Another man named in the plot, Mazen Touma, sought a kilogram of rifle powder and copper pipes to make pipe bombs, Mr Maidment said.
Instructions for making detonators and strings of fairylights - allegedly for this purpose - were found at Elomar's home.
Material about building car bombs was also allegedly seized from the homes of some of the men.
Mr Maidment told the jury Moustafa Cheikho had undertaken paramilitary training in Pakistan in 2001 and foreshadowed that a American witness who had trained at the same camp would give evidence via video link in the first week of December.
The trial is continues.
AAP ajcdghnjjtnf =0A
By Amy Coopes
SYDNEY, Nov 13 AAP - Five Sydney terror accused undertook guerrilla training on properties in western NSW in preparation for holy war, a jury has beentold.
The five - Khaled Cheikho, 35, Moustafa Cheikho, 31, Mohamed Ali Elomar, 43, Abdul Rakib Hasan, 39, and Mohammed Omar Jamal, 24 - are standing trial in the NSW Supreme Court over an alleged terrorist conspiracy.
They have each pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to commit actsin preparation for a terrorist act.
Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment SC today began detailing to jurors 110 events alleged to constitute the conspiracy.
Following the guidance of a document called "the terrorist handbook" and other extremist literature, Mr Maidment said the five began preparing in earnest to fulfil their obligation as healthy Muslims to carry out jihad.
They went on two survival and sniper-style training camps near Bourke in western NSW, purchasing large quantities of camping equipment, maps and weapons, he said.
They allegedly sought radio scanners, night-vision goggles and other military-style equipment and Mr Maidment said a dozen firearms were found during raids on Elomar's home.
In the months before the first camp in March 2005, Elomar is alleged to have ordered 10,000 rounds of ammunition and two telescopic lenses worth a total5,675.
A further 8,000 rounds were sought through an associate named George Lord between April and June of that year, Mr Maidment said.
Police searches of the two properties where the training camps were held - Curranyalpa and Mulga Creek station - allegedly uncovered large quantities of spent ammunition and other evidence of target practice.
A burnt-out car battery with spark plugs attached was also found at the Curranyalpa station.
"The crown says this is consistent with the notion of an mujahid (holy warrior) engaging in training," Mr Maidment said.
"It's consistent with participation in a conspiracy of the kind the crown alleges."
As part of their quest for sulphuric acid to make bombs, Mr Maidment said the men attempted to establish a second-hand battery business.
They sought, at various times, unusual quantities of hydrogen peroxide or bleach, and distilled water.
They also tried to obtain 60 litres of acetone, or nail polish remover, andfrequented hairdressers, hardware shops and pharmacies in search for bombmaking material.
Another man named in the plot, Mazen Touma, sought a kilogram of rifle powder and copper pipes to make pipe bombs, Mr Maidment said.
Instructions for making detonators and strings of fairylights - allegedly for this purpose - were found at Elomar's home.
Material about building car bombs was also allegedly seized from the homes of some of the men.
Mr Maidment told the jury Moustafa Cheikho had undertaken paramilitary training in Pakistan in 2001 and foreshadowed that a American witness who had trained at the same camp would give evidence via video link in the first week of December.
The trial is continues.
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