A SYDNEY architect has been jailed for at least 15 years for planning a terrorist attack on Australian soil. Faheem Khalid Lodhi was today jailed for a maximum term of 20 years for acting in preparation for a terrorist attack. He sat quietly in the dock as Justice Anthony Whealy told the NSW Supreme Court Lodhi had intended to "advance violent giant jihad" in Australia.Justice Whealy said the attack, if carried out, "would instil terror into members of the public so that they could never again feel free from the threat of bombing attacks within Australia". The charges had carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Lodhi, 36, was convicted of three terrorism-related charges but acquitted of a fourth charge. He was convicted of acting in preparation for a terrorist act by seeking information about chemicals capable of making explosives. He was also found guilty of possessing a so-called "terrorism manual" and of buying two maps of the electricity grid, connected with preparation for a terrorist act.
He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.