NSW: Chemicals found at home of terror plot suspect: court
25 Nov 2008 12:36 PM
SYDNEY, Nov 25 AAP - Chemicals including 10 litres of acid and a replica pistol were found at the home of a Sydney man accused over a terrorist plot, a jury has been told.
Omar Baladjam, 31, is one of nine men named as conspirators in an alleged terrorist plot conceived in the 15 months from July 2004.
Although Baladjam is not being tried with the conspirators, Justice Anthony Whealy has told the jury they may use evidence about his alleged activities as proof of the conspiracy involving the five men now on trial.
Evidence of items seized from his Hoxton Park home were on Tuesday presented to the jurors at the NSW Supreme Court trial of five of Baladjam's co-conspirators.
Mohamed Ali Elomar, 43, Abdul Rakib Hasan, 39, Mohammed Omar Jamal, 24, Moustafa Cheikho, 31, and 35-year-old Khaled Cheikho have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to commit acts in preparation of a terrorist act.
Detective Senior Constable Sean Beehag showed the jury a collection of chemicals seized from Baladjam's garage.
Five litres each of battery acid and hydrochloric acid were found, as well as a partly-used four litre bottle of methylated spirits and 2.5kg of caustic soda.
A plastic replica pistol and pieces of PVC plastic piping were found, along with a box containing various mixing items.
Scales, plastic funnels, a measuring tape and strainer were in the box with a white bowl containing traces of residue, Det Beehag said.
Inside the house police recovered ammunition of various calibres for various types of guns in a locked safe, the detective said.
Application forms for recreational shooting permits were found in the study, as well as membership documents for Condell Pistol Park and a receipt made out to Baladjam for a .22 calibre Beretta pistol.
