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| Down Under |
| Australian AFL Grand Final 'massacre planned' |
| 2008-04-15 |
| * Bombing planned for 2005 AFL grand final * Plan axed after police, ASIO raids * Bombing difficult after September 11, said leader THE 2005 AFL Grand Final was the original bombing target of an alleged home-grown terror cell by the man described as its leader or "sheik", a court has been told. A jury in the supreme Court in Victoria was told today that in conversation with a witness at the terror trial, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, said the MCG bombing had been cancelled because of police and ASIO raids on members of the group in July 2005. Izzydeen Atik told the Supreme Court that Mr Benbrika nominated two other targets, the NAB Cup and Crown Casino during the 2006 Melbourne Grand Prix weekend. Mr Atik, 27, has admitted he had discussions about bombings with Mr Benbrika as a follow up to two earlier secretly taped conversations heard by the jury today. While they were driving together Mr Atik said they had a conversation about terrorist attacks. "The original target was supposed to be the Grand Final of 2005," Mr Atik said he was told by Mr Benbrika. Mr Atik said Mr Benbrika told him the raids on group members had disrupted funding. On trial before Justice Bernard Bongiorno are: Mr Benbrika of Dallas, Shane Kent, 31, Meadow Heights, Majed Raad, 23, Coburg, Abdullah Merhi, 22, Fawkner, Mr Joud, 23, Hoppers Crossing, Ahmed Raad, 24, Fawkner, Fadl Sayadi, 28, Coburg, Ezzit Raad, 26, Preston, Hany Taha, 33, Hadfield, Shoue Hammoud, 28, Hadfield, Bassam Raad, 26, Brunswick and Amer Haddara, 28, Yarraville. The jury was played two bugged conversations in Mr Benbrika's Dallas home on March 4, 2005 between him and Mr Atik. In the conversations Mr Benbrika talks of members of the group being under surveillance and their phones being bugged. At one point Mr Benbrika says to Mr Atik "we'll damage buildings. Blast things." Mr Benbrika continues: "It has to be proper because it's very difficult to get them. I mean, especially the product. After 11 September it's not easy." The trial continues. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #3 You were missed, Oztralian dear. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-04-15 11:32 |
| #2 And so it came to pass: Port Adelaide were massacred by Geelong. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2008-04-15 07:27 |
| #1 it's good to be back :) |
| Posted by: Oztralian 2008-04-15 03:10 |