Not unlike this ongoing case in the U.S. The jurors were told the defendants were following “a fundamental form of Islam.” All their attempts at political correctness aside, will heads roll and accusations of Islamophobia fly over that choice of words?
“Car bomb trial: Jurors warned over ‘prejudice’,” from The Scotsman, October 8 (thanks to Twostellas):
Prosecutors believe two doctors accused of mounting car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow were motivated by Islam, a court heard today.
Bilal Abdulla, 29, and Mohammed Asha, 28, are accused of terrorism motivated by “a fundamental form of Islam”, potential jurors were told.
Speaking at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Mackay said jurors must try the men on the facts alone and not on any prejudices, beliefs or personal opinions.
He said the men are charged with conspiring to murder and cause explosions in attacks on London’s West End and Glasgow Airport over two days last summer.
Abdulla, of Glasgow, and Asha, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, deny the offences.
The judge said: “The prosecution case is that both these defendants and a third man called Kafeel Ahmed, who died in the third of these incidents, were terrorists motivated by their belief in a fundamental form of Islam.
“It is essential that the jury that is to try them makes its decisions based solely on the evidence it hears and it is given in this court and not based on any prejudices, beliefs or personal opinions the members of the jury may have.”
Mr Justice Mackay was addressing potential jurors before the case begins tomorrow. It is expected to last between eight and 10 weeks.
Members of the public selected for jury service were told the two defendants worked as doctors at several NHS hospitals.
They were told Abdulla worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, outside Glasgow.
Asha worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge; Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli; Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
Potential jurors were told they may not be able to serve if they or a close relative had been treated by either of the doctors or if they knew any of the witnesses in the case.
They were also asked if they had been the victim of a terrorist attack or worked for the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Service, Armed Forces or security services….