Title: Scots Muslim charged for alleged 'terror' websites
Description: Mohammed Atif Siddique / Aamer Anwar
Description: Mohammed Atif Siddique / Aamer Anwar
Bridget - October 25, 2006 11:17 AM (GMT)
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| Scots Muslim charged for alleged 'terror' websites A YOUNG Muslim man charged with terrorism offences was allegedly using websites he set up to demonstrate how to make and use firearms and explosives, court papers revealed yesterday. Mohammed Atif Siddique, 20, who was arrested in an anti-terrorism dawn raid on 13 April at his family's home in Alva, Clackmannanshire, is charged with using websites to distribute publications that could encourage acts of terrorism, as well as other terrorism-related offences. Siddique, who claimed he was a member of al-Qaeda and threatened to carry out a suicide attack, was excused his first public appearance at a pre-trial hearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday. Siddique, a computer student, faces five charges under the 2000 and 2006 Terrorism Acts. He made no plea or declaration when he appeared at a special court sitting, held inside Falkirk police station, two weeks after his arrest. Among the charges, it is alleged that between 1 March, 2003, and 13 April, 2006, Siddique possessed articles in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable suspicion they were connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. The case was continued until 3 November. |
Websites are dangerous if they give rise to 'reasonable suspicion' under Terrorism legislation, yet BNP possession of explosives isn't deemed dangerous.
numeral - November 4, 2006 05:02 PM (GMT)
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| Man in court over terror charges A MAN accused of five terrorism offences appeared in public court yesterday for the first time. Mohammed Atif Siddique, 20, of Alva, was excused his previous date at Glasgow's High Court 12 days ago for the end of Ramadan. |
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| Harassment of the Siddique Family On April 12th Mohammed Atif Siddique and his uncle were prevented from boarding a flight to Pakistan from Glasgow airport (see more on situation at Glasgow airport here). They were briefly detained and allowed to return to the family home in Alva, Scotland. The next morning the house was raided by dozens of MI5, Special Branch and uniformed police officers using the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2000. Two uncles of Atif arrested at the same time were released from Govan top security police station at 2.30am in the morning without charge after 13 days in custody. Atif's brother Asif was held for a further period but then released without charge. Mohammed Rafiq, a farmer from the Punjab and the paternal uncle of Atif and Asif Siddique, said he was "deeply upset" at what had happened. "My wife and five children are both utterly shocked at this as well," he said. "I had never heard of the word terrorism until I came to this country. I came to visit my family and all I want to do now is to go home. I will never come back to Scotland." The Herald Asif later revealed that police had questioned him about postcards found in the Siddique house from New York: "They found postcards I had got from friends who went on holiday to New York a few years ago. They asked me about who they were from and why I had them, which I found ridiculous because it was a holiday postcard. They also kept asking me what I thought about September 11 and I kept telling them that I condemned the attacks. We were shocked innocent lives should be taken like this." Sunday Mail On Thursday 27th April Atif Siddique was charged with offences under Section 58(1b) of the Terrorism Act at a specially convened court in Falkirk. The offences relate to the possession of documents or records containing information "likely to be useful" to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Atif was remanded in custody and will appear in court again this week. Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 by Registered Commenter: Eddie Truman in State Oppression, Scotland |
Bridget - November 4, 2006 05:18 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE ("numeral") |
| A MAN accused of five terrorism offences appeared in public court yesterday for the first time. |
The first time was in a police station, how common is this!?!
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| He made no plea or declaration when he appeared at a special court sitting, held inside Falkirk police station, two weeks after his arrest. |
Bridget - August 23, 2007 08:47 AM (GMT)
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| Terror trial student was a model high school pupil, court is told Last updated: 23-Aug-07 01:14 BST A STUDENT accused of terrorism charges was a "model pupil" at secondary school, a court heard yesterday. Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, of Alva, Clackmannanshire, faces five charges, including four under the terrorism acts of 2000 and 2006. It is alleged that between 1 March, 2003 and 13 April, 2006, he possessed articles in circumstances which gave rise to a reasonable suspicion they were connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. These included documents containing terrorist propaganda and bomb-making instructions, and others detailing use of weapons systems, terrorist and guerrilla tactics, surveillance techniques, suicide and sacrificial operations and terrorist training camps. Siddique also denies committing a breach of the peace and placing students at Glasgow Metropolitan College in a state of fear and alarm by showing them images of suicide bombers and of murders and beheadings by terrorists. It is also alleged that Siddique claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda and threatened to become a suicide bomber and carry out other acts of terrorism. At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Siddique was described by the deputy headmaster at Alva Academy as "very polite, always well-turned-out in school uniform, very respectful and very quiet". Alexander Donoghue, 50, also told Brian McConnachie, QC, who is prosecuting the case, that Siddique was not a high academic achiever. Mr Donoghue, the first witness in the trial, said the young man was "very interested" in computing, but achieved the lowest pass mark in the Standard grade exam. He said he taught Siddique computing in his early years at school but not as he got older. Mr Donoghue agreed with Donald Findlay, QC, defending, that Siddique tried his best at subjects. He added that he was polite and courteous to staff at all times, and when asked by Mr Findlay if he was a model pupil, Mr Donoghue replied: "More or less." The court heard that after Siddique left school in 2002 he grew a beard. Mr Donoghue agreed with Mr Findlay that growing a beard was a "right of passage" for young men. Alexander Paterson, a lecturer at Glasgow Metropolitan College, said he taught Siddique, who was studying for an HND in information and communication technology. He told Mr McConnachie that he once spotted him looking at a website with "Arabic" writing. Questioned by Mr Findlay, he accepted it could have been Urdu, which the accused could speak, or "Eastern script". Mr Paterson said Siddique did well in his first year at the college but passed only one module in his second year. He took part in "lively" classroom discussions about the war in Iraq, which both he and the students opposed. The trial continues. Scotsman |
Bridget - August 23, 2007 04:47 PM (GMT)
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Terror trial hears threat claims  Mr Siddique was arrested in Alva in April last year A student who is standing trial on terror charges threatened to "blow up Glasgow", a court has heard. Mohammed Atif Siddique, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, has denied a total of five offences. Fellow student Razia Hussain told the High Court in Glasgow she gave her college classmate two nicknames - "Suicide Bomber" and "al-Qaeda". Miss Hussain also claimed Mr Siddique, 21, only communicated with anyone if it was something to do with Islam. Miss Hussein, who is now an immigration officer at Glasgow Airport, told the court that Siddique regularly looked at suicide bomb websites. 'Training course' She said: "He said he was going to blow Glasgow up. As a joke I said please inform me so I can run." She went on to claim Mr Siddique had told her: "As Muslims we should commit Jihad." She added that he repeatedly claimed he wanted to be a suicide bomber, said he had met Osama Bin Laden, and had either been on or was going to a "training course" somewhere near Edinburgh or Stirling. He said he wanted to be a suicide bomber Razia Hussain Miss Hussain said that Mr Siddique showed her a website showing a smiling man who had committed Jihad pointing to the sky. Miss Hussain said that Mr Siddique told her the man was smiling "because he had committed Jihad and God was going to be happy with him". She added: "He said he wanted to be a suicide bomber." The court had earlier heard that Mr Siddique was caught looking at video clips of "a suicide bomber" and "someone like Osama bin Laden". Glasgow Metropolitan College communications lecturer Brian Glancey said he found Mr Siddique watching the clips. 'College policy' Mr Siddique, of Myretoungate, was a student at the college between 2003 and 2005. He was arrested in a police operation in Alva on 13 April, 2006. Mr Glancey told the court he had found Mr Siddique looking at inappropriate material on the internet on two occasions in 2003. He said: "I think I saw a video of Osama Bin Laden or someone like him. "There was no sound - the person was speaking, but to who I don't know. I told Siddique to stop it and he switched it off." Mr Glancey then said that about three weeks later he found the student watching a clip of a "Palestinian suicide bomber" in class.  Brian Glancey leaves the court after giving evidence He said: "This person had a gun, a green bandana and T-shirt and there was Arabic text along the screen. He appeared to be speaking to the camera. "I told Mohammed that it was against college policy to look at terrorist, violent or pornographic sites and, again, he simply switched it off." Mr Glancey later said under cross-examination that he could not tell if the footage had come from a news website. Mr Siddique faces four charges under the Terrorism Act 2000. He has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. This charge also includes the allegation that he threatened to become a suicide bomber, and claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda. BBC |
Bridget - August 27, 2007 01:30 PM (GMT)
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Terror trial told of jihad emails Last Updated: Monday, 27 August 2007, 12:18 GMT 13:18 UK Mr Siddique was arrested in Alva in April last year The cousin of a student facing terror charges has told a court she was sent emails about martyrdom and jihad by the accused. Shazia Rehman, 29, a biomedical scientist, told the High Court in Glasgow that Mohammed Atif Siddique sent her six emails. During the trial before Lord Carloway, Ms Rehman said she had never read the emails but admitted printing them out. Mr Siddique, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, denies five offences. Prosecuting QC, Brian MConnachie, read out parts of the emails to the jury. Massacre of Muslims In one it stated that "the one who blows up the enemies of Allah by blowing himself up as well cannot be considered a suicide and he is, Allah willing, a martyr". Other emails sent to Ms Rehman mentioned the Taliban and Jihad, the massacre of Muslims in Bosnia and the position of women under the Taliban. But during cross examination by defence QC Donald Findlay, Ms Rehman was asked: "If I suggest the reason Mohammed Atif Siddique sent the emails to you on these subjects was that he had respect for you because you were clever and he just wanted to know what you thought about it, is that possible?" Ms Rehman replied: "It is." When re-examined by Mr McConnachie and asked if Mr Siddique had asked for her opinions about the emails, she replied: "I don't think we ever discussed the emails." Mr Siddique was arrested in a police operation in Alva on 13 April, 2006, and faces five charges under the Terrorism Act 2000. Bomb-making He has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. This charge also includes the allegation that he threatened to become a suicide bomber, and claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda. BBC |
Bridget - August 29, 2007 07:53 AM (GMT)
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| Terror trial evidence 'may have been risked by officer' The Scotsman Wed 29 Aug 2007 A SPECIAL branch officer may have inadvertently contaminated evidence in a terror trial, it was claimed yesterday. Detective Constable Gary Murray accepted he breached police guidelines by switching on a laptop belonging to student Mohammed Atif Siddique at Glasgow Airport. Siddique was detained as he prepared to fly to Pakistan with his uncle, the High Court in Glasgow was told. Siddique, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, denies five charges under the Terrorism Act 2000, including claiming to be a member of al-Qaeda. DC Murray, who gave his evidence from behind screens, said Siddique was held on 5 April last year in the international departure lounge together with his uncle, Mohammed Rafik. His luggage contained 22 compact discs which he said contained Arabic poems, a mobile phone and a laptop computer. DC Murray admitted he switched on the computer after the go-ahead from a more senior officer, and examined it for 70 minutes. Brain McConnachie, QC, prosecuting, asked: "Did you find anything relating to terrorism?" DC Murray replied: "No." Donald Findlay, QC, defending, showed the court a document giving guidelines for the seizure of electronic evidence. It said that if a computer was seized, "under no circumstance" should it be switched on. DC Murray admitted he had not previously been aware of the document. By turning the computer on, Mr Findlay said, he had risked altering what may have been a vital piece of evidence. The trial, before Lord Carloway, continues. |
numeral - August 29, 2007 04:30 PM (GMT)
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| Terror accused 'had Osama video' Last Updated: Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 15:51 GMT 16:51 UK Video footage of Osama Bin Laden urging Jihad against the West was found on the laptop computer of a man accused of terror charges, his trial has heard. Computer expert Michael Dickson, 42, told the High Court in Glasgow he found the files "hidden" on a laptop seized from student Mohammed Atif Siddique. The computer was taken from Mr Siddique as he prepared to fly from Glasgow Airport to Pakistan in April last year. Mr Siddique, 21, denies five charges under the Terrorism Act 2000. Mr Dickson, a forensics analyst with the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit, told the court that he had made a copy of the hard drive of the laptop and examined it. He said the material was placed in a Windows folder where it would be difficult for anyone who did not know anything about computers to find. When he opened the folder he found videos, pictures and sound files which he agreed with prosecutor Brian McConnachie QC "seemed to be concerned with radical Islamic politics". Some of the material was screened to the jury on large flat screen TV monitors. The commentary and chanting on them was in Arabic but there were subtitles in English. The video proclaimed "victory for the mujahideen" and showed images of Osama Bin Laden followed by the Twin Towers in New York exploding after the attacks of September 2001. It also showed images of world leaders including US president George Bush, former UK prime minister Tony Blair and the president of Pakistan branded as "criminals", followed by photographs of injured Muslim babies and adults. It urged the destruction of the enemy, injustice and oppression. The subtitles also urged the direction of the forces against America, and to "send them what descends from the skies" and "make hurricanes a constant for them". 'Catastrophic damage' Another file said to have been released by the Al Qaeda Network called for the release of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in their orange boiler suits. A further one showed photographs of members of the "Martyrdom Battalion" with a message to America and its allies: "We are marching towards you with men who love to die just as much as you love to live." When Mr Dickson was asked by Mr McConnachie: "Why would someone put documents into windows options?", he replied: "In my opinion to hide it." Earlier in his evidence, Mr Dickson said useful evidence may have been destroyed when the laptop was switched on by a Special Branch detective before being passed to analysts, against standard police procedure. He added: "No one should be touching a computer after it has been seized, unless they are qualified to do so, as anything they do may cause catastrophic damage to the evidence. "The whole process of turning the computer on will cause a number of things to happen to the hard drive which may override things that may have been useful to see." Mr Siddique was arrested at his family home in Alva, Clackmannanshire, in a police operation on 13 April 2006, eight days after the computer was seized. He has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. This charge also includes the allegation that he threatened to become a suicide bomber, and claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda. The trial, before Lord Carloway, continues. |
WRH has this:
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| The reason Dickson was upset has been erased from this version of the story, but his testimony pointed out that the incriminating videos found on the laptop all had creation dates LATER than the time the laptop was confiscated from the suspect! He told the court: "An initial examination of this system revealed it was last activated between approximately 2219 BST and 2330 BST on 5 April 2006. "This immediately struck us as being unusual as we were informed that the computer had been seized from the accused's possession at about 2000 BST the same date." Mr Dickson said further examination revealed that the times and dates associated with more than 200 files on the system had been updated between these times. |
Bridget - August 30, 2007 10:36 PM (GMT)
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| ‘Plant’ claim dismissed in terror trial A computer expert claimed today it was highly unlikely extremist Islamic propaganda was planted on a terror suspect's laptop. Mohammed Atif Siddique's laptop was seized at Glasgow Airport on April 5 last year, as he was about to fly out to Pakistan. The High Court in Glasgow has heard footage found on it showed Osama Bin Laden calling for holy war, the Twin Towers exploding and other clips urging young Muslims to become suicide bombers. The laptop was switched on by a Special Branch cop against guidelines and left on for 71 minutes. Brian McConnachie QC, prosecuting, asked IT specialist Michael Dickson: "Would it be realistic someone could have placed that material in 71 minutes?" Mr Dickson replied: "It would be possible to transfer the material, however, it would take effort to make it look like it had come across at different times." Mr McConnachie then asked: "Would it be possible to do this in such a time without training?" He replied: "No, I would definitely not say so." Mr Dickson claimed special software would be needed together with computer expertise. Earlier Mr Dickson said someone using the account of M Atif Siddique viewed a fundamentalist Islam website featuring Abu Hamza at Ibrox public library and other Islamic websites on four dates in February and March last year. Siddique, of Alva, Clackmannanshire, denies all charges against him. The five charges against Siddique include allegations he threatened to become a suicide bomber and carry out terrorism, and provided instruction on using or making firearms and explosives on his three websites. The trial, before Lord Carloway, continues. article |
Bridget - August 31, 2007 09:35 AM (GMT)
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| Terror trial jury sees footage of 'execution' WILMA RILEY AND GRANT MCCABE FOOTAGE of a dead US navy officer being robbed by Islamic extremists and video of what appeared to be a soldier's execution were found on a CD hidden in the house of a terror suspect, a court heard yesterday. The clips were shown during Mohammed Siddique's trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The jury watched as a person was dragged out of a car by men and bundled into a van. It then cut to a man in combat uniform - thought to be the same person taken from the car - crouching down with his hands tied and his face covered. He was kicked over before the camera panned away and two loud gunshots were heard. The word "executed" then flashed up on the screen. Brian McConnachie QC, prosecuting, later warned the jury that they were going to view "unpleasant images" as he showed the clip of the dead US navy officer. The man was filmed lying on the ground with his face heavily bloodied. Masked men surrounded him before one snatched a watch from the dead man's wrist. A number of items were then shown being placed on the ground including a broken laptop and helmets. A US navy photo identity card belonging to an officer was held in front of the camera. Other clips on the disc were shown, mainly depicting weaponry and what appeared to be bomb-making. A separate clip showed a masked man with a weapon talking in English and saying: "The honourable sons and daughters of Islam will not let you kill our families in Palestine and Afghanistan. It is time for us to be equals. As you kill us, you will be killed." The CD was discovered under the carpet in a room of Siddique's house in Alva, Clackmannanshire, the court was told. The jury also heard parts of a transcript of a chatroom conversation between a person using various usernames such as "Abu al Hafs Ansaree", "Mohammed Atef" and "Atif Siddique" and a person named "Ocean Blue". During this, the person called Atif Siddique said that his father's cousin was the assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. In the messages, Abu described running away from home after falling out with his parents and was not sure whether to return, the court heard. In late October 2005, Ocean Blue replied: "I suggest that you make a strategic return. The reason is we know what you desire to do for the sake of Allah." Ocean Blue later added: "It's not easy to get out there being on your own. The battle is worldwide." The jury was also told that someone using the account of "M Atif Siddique" viewed a fundamentalist Islamic website featuring Abu Hamza, the jailed extremist cleric, at Ibrox public library and other Islamic websites on four dates in February and March last year. Siddique, 21, denies all of the five terrorism-related charges against him. article |
justthefacts - August 31, 2007 12:54 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Bridget @ Aug 31 2007, 09:35 AM) |
| During this, the person called Atif Siddique said that his father's cousin was the assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. |
The Antagonist - August 31, 2007 01:08 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (justthefacts @ Aug 31 2007, 01:54 PM) | ||
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I wondered how they managed to persuade an Asian Muslim to spout some of the incredible nonsense Tariq Ghaffur was coming out with a while back - no protests, no flag burning, no headgear and no chanting.
justthefacts - August 31, 2007 01:34 PM (GMT)
His CV shows one of the country's most experienced high-flying cops. Reminiscent of Mr. Manfo of Ghana?
indisguise - August 31, 2007 02:43 PM (GMT)
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| Brian McConnachie QC, prosecuting, asked IT specialist Michael Dickson: "Would it be realistic someone could have placed that material in 71 minutes?" Mr Dickson replied: "It would be possible to transfer the material, however, it would take effort to make it look like it had come across at different times." Mr McConnachie then asked: "Would it be possible to do this in such a time without training?" He replied: "No, I would definitely not say so." Mr Dickson claimed special software would be needed together with computer expertise. |
I don't agree because a script could be used. The script could be prepared using the same forensic software that would be used to analyse the computer. The procedure would be to test a target laptop and operating system with the forensic software before and after introducing foreign material to ensure that the effect of the script could not be identified.
The procedure for the police seizure of computers is to cut the power - that's pulling the plug out of the wall socket. Police are not to touch cmputers which is why they end up asking somebody that has legitimite access to the computer to switch it on and search for documents. Police are definately not permitted to switch a computer on for 71 minutes and this officer should have known that.
Edit: A linux livecd would be good at this for changing a Windoze box. The livecd, malicious script and foreign material could easily be stored on a USB stick.
Bridget - September 1, 2007 09:09 AM (GMT)
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| Access to web of terror 'is easy' GRANT MCCABE ISLAMIC extremist videos and documents found on a terrorist suspect's computers are easily accessed on the internet, a court was told yesterday. Computer expert Michael Dickson agreed with defence counsel Donald Findlay QC that anyone could obtain the information simply by typing "Islamic extremist" into the Google search engine. Mr Dickson has been giving evidence in the trial of Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, who denies four terrorist charges and a breach of the peace. The jury at the High Court in Glasgow was shown a download from an Israeli website which featured articles in Arabic with pictures and diagrams of assault rifles and a rocket launcher. Mr Findlay asked: "Can you confirm that if you were to pick any of the sites you would find similar information in Arabic about weaponry because of the drawings? What the writing says I don't know." Dickson: "That's correct." Findlay: "Do you think it even conceivable that an Israeli website would want to provide information to Islamic terrorists?" Dickson: "I wouldn't think so." Siddique, of Alva, Clackmannanshire, denies five charges against him. They include claims that he possessed articles connected with preparation of terrorism; that he provided instruction on using or making firearms and explosives on his three web sites; and that on these he distributed publications to encourage terrorism. article |
numeral - September 6, 2007 02:17 AM (GMT)
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| Terror trial jury sees bomb-making film ANGUS HOWARTH FOOTAGE of a man making bombs was yesterday shown to the jury in the trial of a student facing a string of terrorism charges. The High Court in Glasgow was shown the two-minute clip in the trial of Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21. Siddique, from Alva, in Clackmannanshire, faces several terrorism charges, including providing instructional material for bomb-making, and collecting and distributing terrorist propaganda. The footage, seized from computers used by the suspect, showed a man clad in robes hunched over a torn-open oil can, which he was stuffing with nuts and bolts. Richard Cawthorne, an explosives expert, told the court the first device appeared to be an anti-personnel mine. Brain McConnachie, QC, the Crown counsel, asked him if someone watching the video would be able to follow it to make a bomb. Mr Cawthorne replied: "If they had materials and they watched the video, they could potentially create a device along similar lines to these." The explosives expert had also examined a document linked to Siddique, called Preparing for Jihad part eight: booby traps and explosives. It was a long list of household items, which Mr Cawthorne said could be used in the production of bombs, as well as instructions for making high explosives. Guidelines for the preparation of high explosives and explosive liquids were also contained in the document, jurors were told. But Donald Findlay, QC, defending, suggested the video did not contain enough detail to construct a bomb and was more an exercise in propaganda. Mr Findlay suggested the video would not be of any help to someone with little knowledge of making explosives, which the witness agreed could be true. |
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Bridget - September 7, 2007 03:39 PM (GMT)
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Terror trial shown beheading film  US citizen Paul Johnson pictured with his wife Noom A jury at the trial of a student facing terror charges has been shown video of a US citizen being beheaded. The High Court in Glasgow heard the footage of Paul Johnson, 49, was posted on the website of Islamic terror expert Evan Kohlmann. He has been giving evidence at the trial of 21-year-old Mohammed Atif Siddique, from Alva, Clackmannanshire. Mr Kohlmann denied a suggestion that the videos were worse than those Mr Siddique was said to have stored. He said it was his intention to show the brutality of al-Qaeda. But he denied he was playing into the group's hands by spreading propaganda. One video to show the brutality of al-Qaeda executing hostages was enough. I could not stomach any more Evan Kohlmann Islamic terror expert Judge Lord Carloway warned the jury beforehand that the footage of New Jersey man Mr Johnson being beheaded would be distressing. After it was played, Mr Kohlmann was asked what kind of research would justify publishing the clip. He said: "This was the first video of this type al-Qaeda distributed. "One video to show the brutality of al-Qaeda executing hostages was enough. I could not stomach any more." Mr Kohlmann added that it also helped "identify" those involved in the beheading and that he did not list it to "advertise or cause grief". The witness rejected accusations that he was spreading al-Qaeda propaganda. Distressed hostage He said: "I didn't serve any purpose for al-Qaeda." The trial was also shown other footage taken from Mr Kohlmann's site - including a clip of distressed British hostage Ken Bigley before he was beheaded and a tank being blown up in a roadside bombing. Mr Kohlmann denied comparisons with the material Mr Siddique was said to have stored. Defence QC Donald Findlay said: "The material that you were asked to look at is as much the same kind found on your site. "The difference is you put clips of people dying and people getting their heads cut off." Mr Kohlmann replied: "No, I would not agree. I did not carry any message across. I would disagree." Terror charges Mr Siddique was arrested at his family home in Alva in April 2006. He has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. This charge also includes the allegation that he threatened to become a suicide bomber and claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda. The trial, before Lord Carloway, continues. BBC |
Bridget - September 11, 2007 04:19 PM (GMT)
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Terror trial delayed by ill juror  Mr Siddique is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow Closing speeches in the trial of a student accused of terror charges have been delayed after a juror became ill. Prosecutor Brian McConnachie QC and defence QC Donald Findlay, who is representing Mohammed Atif Siddique, will now address the jury on Wednesday. The jury is expected to retire to consider a verdict after judge, Lord Carloway, sums up the case on Thursday. Mr Siddique, 21, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, denies four terror charges and a breach of the peace. Evidence in the case at the High Court in Glasgow, was concluded on Monday, when the prosecution withdrew an allegation that Mr Siddique claimed to be part of the al-Qaeda terror network. Mr Siddique has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. BBC |
Bridget - September 12, 2007 01:47 PM (GMT)
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| Terror jury warned over prejudice The jury in the trial of a terror suspect has been urged to put aside any prejudice they might have when reaching a verdict. Advocate Depute Brian McConnachie QC made the plea during his closing speech in the case of Mohammed Atif Siddique at the High Court in Glasgow. The 21-year-old, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, denies four terror charges and a breach of the peace. Mr Siddique's QC, Donald Findlay, is also due to address the jury. Mr McConnachie told the jury: "Muslim extremists do not have a monopoly on intolerance, bigotry or hatred. "Closer to home, the people of Glasgow are aware of the serious crimes committed in the name of religion. "This case is not about white against Asian or Muslim against Christian." The prosecutor said the trial was about "intolerance, bigotry and hatred". "It is about the terrifying ends people will go to in the name of religion," he said. "The colour of the skin and religion of Mr Siddique are irrelevant. "Your views on the war in Iraq must also be placed aside." McConnachie said the evidence against Mr Siddique was "circumstantial" but he said it was like pieces of a jigsaw that fit together to "build a picture". He told the court: "In my submission, the evidence against Mr Siddique does exactly what it says on the tin. What is obvious in my submission is that Mr Siddique is guilty." 'Motivate Jihad' Mr McConnachie also referred to "radical Islamic material" said to have been accessed by Mr Siddique. The QC said: "It was a collection designed to motivate Jihad. This would be of use to terrorists and there was no reasonable excuse for Mr Siddique to have this." Mr Siddique was arrested at his family home in April 2006. He has been accused of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making. He has also been accused of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. A further charge of breach of the peace relates to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings. The trial, before Lord Carloway, continues. BBC |
Bridget - September 17, 2007 05:53 PM (GMT)
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| Muslim student guilty of terror charges SAM REEVES and MATT DICKINSON A BRITISH-BORN Muslim student was found guilty today of a series of Islamist terrorism offences. Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, provided training material on booby-trap-bomb-making and threatened to become a suicide bomber. A jury at the High Court in Glasgow took more than eight hours to convict him of possessing and distributing a range of terrorist material via websites and providing instructional material about guns and explosives over the internet. Siddique, who was found guilty of four charges, sat motionless and looked straight ahead as the guilty verdicts were returned. Lord Carloway spoke briefly, reviewing the most serious charge, and said: "You have been convicted of significant contraventions of the Terrorism Act, in particular on charge one of having articles in your possession for the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. "The court must take these offences extremely seriously. "You have no criminal record so I cannot proceed to sentence today." Sentencing will take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 23. Siddique was branded a "wannabe suicide bomber" by advocate-depute Brian McConnachie QC. Documents and footage linked to Siddique during the trial were described as "a call to arms for Muslims" by prosecutors. "It's clear from that material that the whole idea was to glorify martyrdom operations which we call suicide bombings," he said. The court heard the 21-year-old would log on to internet chat rooms using the pseudonym Ya Ya Ayash – a figure famous in the Hamas movement and responsible for a wave of bombings in the Middle East. Siddique had denied three charges under the Terrorism Act 2000, one under the Terrorism Act 2006 and a breach of the peace charge. He was accused of possessing and collecting items such as CDs and videos on weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making which could be used for terrorist purposes. Siddique was also accused of setting up websites with links to terrorist publications which showed how to use weapons and make bombs, and distributing terrorist publications via links on a website. He was further accused of causing a breach of the peace at Glasgow Metropolitan College by threatening to become a suicide bomber and blow up Glasgow, as well as showing images of suicide bombers and beheadings. The offences were alleged to have been carried out between March 1, 2003 and April 13, 2006. Siddique's solicitor Amar Anwar said later: "Today Mohammed Atif Siddique was found guilty of doing what millions of young people do every day, looking for answers on the internet. "This verdict is a tragedy for justice and for freedom of speech. It undermines the values that separate us from the terrorist, the very values we should be fighting to protect. "Mohammed Atif Siddique states that he is not a terrorist and is innocent of the charges and it is not a crime to be a young Muslim angry at global injustice. "The prosecution was driven by the state and carried out in an atmosphere of hostility after the Glasgow Airport attack, and ending on the anniversary of 9/11. In the end, Atif Siddique did not receive a fair trial and I will be considering an appeal." Siddique's family, who were sobbing in court, made no comment. 'MODEL PUPIL' WHO BECAME FIRST SCOTS-BORN ISLAMIC TERRORIST Mohammed Atif Siddique grew from a "model pupil" into Scotland's first home-grown Islamic terrorist. The 21-year-old was born in Stirling on November 10 1985 into a respected family of Pakistani migrants. His father Mohammed Snr was running a newsagent shop in nearby Alva, Clackmannanshire. The Siddique family was one of just a few Asian households in the area, and Mohammed was schooled locally along with his two brothers and sister. Alva Academy's deputy headmaster Alexander Donoghue remembered him as quiet, polite and more or less a "model pupil". "I would say he was above average in terms of attitude, always wore his uniform and very polite and courteous to staff," he told Siddique's trial. Siddique began studying for a two-year HND in information and computer technology at Glasgow Metropolitan College in 2003. He also took courses in topics such as web design, computer systems and computer networks. Tutors at the college said his performance and attendance was satisfactory in the first year but declined sharply in the next. One lecturer testified that he "just disappeared" for large parts of his second year. This period coincided with him becoming more and more religious, and he clashed slightly with his family as he explored his identity as a Sunni Muslim. The teenager also started to grow a beard, and began attending sessions at Glasgow Central Mosque to learn more about his faith. His involvement included going off on a two-week religious trip in the summer of 2005 with colleagues from the mosque. In November 2005 he secured a job at a call centre in Ibrox, Glasgow, and by the time he left in March last year he had been under covert surveillance by the security services for several months. That operation culminated in his arrest during a dramatic raid on his family home in Alva on April 13 last year. Siddique had been stopped by Special Branch officers at Glasgow Airport the week before, about to board a flight for Lahore in Pakistan with his uncle. He was detained and questioned for around five hours at the airport, with officers quickly homing in on his laptop computer. Although detectives found nothing more untoward than pictures of family celebrations, the computer was seized along with Siddique's passport and flight tickets. Almost immediately e-crime experts were put to work analysing the laptop's hard drive. Their findings sparked off one of Scotland's biggest terrorist inquiries. The dramatic dawn raids saw Siddique arrested and his mother, father and three brothers had their wrists tied with cable during the initial examination of the property. The search operation eventually lasted for three days, with officers recovering box-fulls of items including a home computer, mobile phone and scores of CDs, DVDs and floppy disks. Siddique was taken to the high security Scottish Terrorist Detention Centre in Govan, Glasgow, where he was held for the next two weeks and interviewed 40 times. Officers ensured his every religious need was catered for, providing a prayer mat and allowing time for Friday prayers. A huge team of police officers and experts was then assembled to analyse and translate some of the thousands of documents and videos that were being downloaded and viewed. Police chiefs at Central Scotland Police also launched a PR offensive to reassure the local community. The force's 60 community beat officers were all briefed about what had happened and follow-up tactics, along with local authority officials, MSPs and MPs. Scotland's "Guardian Group" of assistant chief constables from the country's eight forces was also convened, to examine the potential community impact of the arrest on a country-wide basis. The investigation saw a house in Bridge of Allan, five miles from Alva, raided on April 24. His brother Mohammed Asif Siddique and uncles Mohammed Rafiq and Mohammed Niaz were arrested the same day and also taken to Glasgow for questioning. They were released without charge a few days later, angrily denouncing their treatment. Officers had meanwhile started on the nuts and bolts of the investigation, printing off literally thousands of documents, watching scores of videos and tracking down former student colleagues, teachers and lecturers of Siddique. A team of 12 Arabic, Pakistani and Urdu language translators was quickly put together to trawl through the pages of Eastern script. Around 20 police officers alone at Govan were tasked to manage Siddique's detention, reviewing his situation every day and preparing the legal case for extending his custody in line with Terrorism Act 2000 powers. The investigation team eventually grew to around 80 officers in all, with many of them in place until November last year when the Crown's case was finalised. Senior offices said the massive amount of material seized ensured it one of the most complex police inquiries yet carried out in Scotland. Around 6000 witness statements were taken, with 124 witnesses indicted to appear during the trial. A total of 34 computers and hard disks were examined, from Siddique's former colleges, Ibrox Library and places of work, and 25 mobile telephones and 19 SIM cards were also analysed. Altogether prosecutors prepared more than 1500 productions for the court proceedings. source |