OMEN
09-01-2006, 11:33 PM
SYDNEY: Eleven of 13 men accused of planning a terrorist attack in Australia have been ordered by a court to stand trial on charges of belonging to a terrorist group.
Most of the men, including a Muslim cleric, were arrested during raids by more than 450 police on houses in Sydney and Melbourne last November as part of Australia's largest ever counter-terrorism operation.
Several of those ordered to stand trial are also charged with funding or providing support to a terrorist organisation, Australian media reported.
Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr, was also charged with directing the activities of the alleged terrorist cell and of recruiting for the group.
Police told the court the men were in the final stages of planning an attack against an unspecified target.
Prosecutors said a police agent who infiltrated the group had discussed with Benbrika details about blowing up buildings.
Members of the group were inspired and influenced by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network, prosecutor Mark Dean said.
The 11 men will appear in court again for a directions hearing in December. The committal hearings for the other two men will resume on September 18. All of the men have pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Paul Smith said at the end of a six-week committal hearing he was satisfied there was enough evidence to convict the men, Australian media reported.
Ten of the men were arrested during raids in Melbourne and Sydney last November. Three more were arrested in March. The men were arrested under stronger security laws introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Australia is a staunch US ally with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but has never suffered a major peacetime attack on home soil.
Reuters
Most of the men, including a Muslim cleric, were arrested during raids by more than 450 police on houses in Sydney and Melbourne last November as part of Australia's largest ever counter-terrorism operation.
Several of those ordered to stand trial are also charged with funding or providing support to a terrorist organisation, Australian media reported.
Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr, was also charged with directing the activities of the alleged terrorist cell and of recruiting for the group.
Police told the court the men were in the final stages of planning an attack against an unspecified target.
Prosecutors said a police agent who infiltrated the group had discussed with Benbrika details about blowing up buildings.
Members of the group were inspired and influenced by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network, prosecutor Mark Dean said.
The 11 men will appear in court again for a directions hearing in December. The committal hearings for the other two men will resume on September 18. All of the men have pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Paul Smith said at the end of a six-week committal hearing he was satisfied there was enough evidence to convict the men, Australian media reported.
Ten of the men were arrested during raids in Melbourne and Sydney last November. Three more were arrested in March. The men were arrested under stronger security laws introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Australia is a staunch US ally with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but has never suffered a major peacetime attack on home soil.
Reuters