From the Telegraph, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
A Muslim man who planned to “hunt down” and kill a soldier who had won the Military Cross in Iraq was yesterday found guilty of terrorism offences.
Abu Bakr Mansha from Thamesmead, south London, was found with a balaclava and a blank-firing pistol which was being converted for live rounds when his flat was raided by police.
Alongside inflammatory videos of rebels attacking troops in Iraq was a newspaper article describing the exploits of Cpl Mark Byles, who was later decorated with the Military Cross.
Police also found a piece of paper with Cpl Byles’s former address on it and indentations on note paper requesting information on a rich Jewish man and the Hindu owner of a cash and carry business.
David Cocks, QC, prosecuting, told the jury at Southwark Crown Court, south London: “In their case, it is nothing to do with harm they may have done to the Muslim community. It was because of their religious beliefs.”…
A number of DVDs were recovered from Mansha’s flat which included Arabic chanting that called for Muslims to take part in jihad and martyrdom following the allied attack on the Iraqi city of Fallujah.
Some featured the al-Qa’eda leader Osama bin Laden, while one depicted the beheading of the British hostage Ken Bigley….
Mansha, 21, said most of the items found in his apartment were connected with research he was helping a journalist friend with.
Add that to the ever lengthening list of flimsy explanations. This too:
He told jurors he was neither a strict Muslim nor had any strong political views and said he had bought the pistol for £25 from a market stall as a souvenir.