FIVE Sydney men have been found guilty of terrorism offences after one of the longest criminal trials in Australian history.They were today convicted of doing an act in preparation for a terrorist act. After a trial lasting almost a year, a NSW Supreme Court jury deliberated for more than a month before returning its verdict.
And it can now be revealed that two others pleaded guilty last year to various terrorism offences before they were due to stand trial with their five co-accused and were sentenced to jail terms.
The trial began last November, following eight months of pre-trial hearings.
Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment SC admitted it was a circumstantial case in his closing address to the jury.
"This was a case that relied on circumstantial evidence, creating a picture in the nature of a mosaic or a large jigsaw puzzle," he said.
"The Crown does not suggest that the evidence reveals that they had reached any firm conclusion as to what precise action was to be carried out, what targets were to be selected, who was actually to carry the bomb, where it was to be placed, how it was to be placed, how big it was going to be, whether it was going to be in a vehicle or in a backpack or how it was going to be taken to the relevant target."
But the jury was convinced that there was sufficient evidence that the men were involved in a conspiracy to prepare for a terrorist act that according to authorities, was intended to create "maximum damage".