Jihadist group in Australia sought Qur'anic justification

"Mr Maidment said Mr Benbrika agreed that he should give the group proof that the Koran supported taking money from the kuffur, or enemies of Islam." It would be interesting to know what proof Benbrika provided, and how Western spokesmen who claim that the Qur'an contains no such justification, such as Ibrahim Hooper and Salam Al-Marayati, would respond to the case he made.

"Cell debated killing Howard, court told," by Norrie Ross for AAP (thanks to JE):

A MEMBER of an alleged Melbourne terrorist cell asked if it was permissable to kill former PM John Howard in a revenge attack, a Supreme Court jury heard today.

According to the prosecution in a secretly bugged conversation Abdullah Merhi, 22, discusses with Abdul Nacer Benbrika, described as the leader of the group, how he can commit a terrorist act.

In the tape played to the court Mr Merhi says: "If John Howard kills innocents... Muslim families... do we have to kill him?".

Mr Benbrika says that he can only tell him what Allah says.

In the conversation, Mr Merhi says: "sheikh (Mr Benbrika) I'm not waiting 20 years or two years."

Prosecutor Richard Maidment SC said Mr Merhi was referring to his impatience to carry out a terrorist act and that Mr Benbrika tells him that Allah will provide an opportunity for him.

Mr Maidment said that Mr Merhi indicated to Mr Benbrika that he was prepared to travel overseas to commit a terrorist act and adds "I can't believe how hard it is".

Mr Merhi says:"The kuffur (unbelievers) have got control. They've got us like this. Bad"

Mr Benbrika tells him there are millions of "brothers" overseas and says to Mr Merhi "you can make jihad here", .

In a number of bugged conversations members of the group talk about "doing something" and Mr Maidment said it was the Crown case that this was code for a terrorist act.

Twelve members of what Mr Maidment described as a home grown terror group are on trial on a range of terrorist-related charges.

They have all pleaded not guilty. [...]

In another part of the conversation Mr Benbrika "you shouldn't do just one, two or three" and adds "like the station, like the train".

Mr Merhi asks: "like Spain?" and Mr Maidment said this was a reference to the Madrid train bombings in which 191 people were killed and 2000 injured. [...]

On trial are: Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, of Dallas, Shane Kent, 31, Meadow Heights, Majed Raad, 23, Coburg, Abdullah Merhi, 22, Fawkner, Aimen 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.

Mr Maidment said that in another conversation, secretly bugged, Mr Benbrika was urged to give members of the group more instruction on the religious basis for violent jihad.

Mr Maidment said Mr Benbrika agreed that he should give the group proof that the Koran supported taking money from the kuffur, or enemies of Islam.

Mr Joud, told Mr Benbrika he had to provide "the base of jihad".

Mr Maidment reminded the jury that in a previous bugged conversation another member of the group, Ezzit Raad, was concerned that stealing and cutting up cars to raise funds might not be legitimate in Islam.

Mr Joud told Mr Benbrika, who was known in the group as 'sheikh', that the raising of such doubts was "not good". [...]

Posted by Robert at February 19, 2008 5:05 AM
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