Al Qaeda terror cell members jailed for plotting to kill 'thousands of people' in Britain

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^

[Stoat]

Al Qaeda terror cell members jailed for plotting to kill 'thousands of people' in Britain

Last updated at 14:49pm on 15th June 2007

  Seven members of a terror cell run by Al Qaeda "general" Dhiren Barot have been jailed for a total of 136 years.

 

The group were vital to Barot's deadly plans to attack the UK and the US, Woolwich Crown Court was told.

Barot was jailed for life last year for plotting to kill "hundreds if not thousands" of people using explosives-packed limousines and a "dirty" radiation bomb.

 

 

Jailed (left-right): Abdul Aziz Jalil, Qaisar Shaffi, Omar Abdur Rehman

 

 

Sentencing the men at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Butterfield said: "Barot was the instigator of this terrorist planning, he was by some considerable distance the principal participant in the conspiracy.

"Each one of you was recruited by Barot and assisted him at his request."

"Anyone who chooses to participate in such a plan ... will receive little sympathy from the courts."

 

 

Jailed: (left-right): Nadeem Tarmohamed, Junade Feroze, Zia Ul Haq, Mohammed Naveed Bhatti

 

 

The judge told the defendants the suffering their families would experience "is but a tiny fraction of the suffering that would have been experienced had your plans been translated into reality".

Abdul Aziz Jalil, 34, from Luton, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 26 years, Junade Feroze, 31, from Blackburn, Lancashire, for 22 years.

Mohammed Naveed Bhatti, 27, from Harrow, north London and Nadeem Tarmohamed, 29, from Willesden, north west London, were caged for 20 years each.

Zia Ul Haq, 28, from Paddington, west London, was given 18 years and Omar Abdur Rehman, 23, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, along with Qaisar Shaffi, 28, from Willesden, north west London, were handed 15 year sentences.

Shaffi was convicted of conspiracy to murder after a month-long trial which ended earlier this week.

The other six pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life.

Muslim convert Barot planned co-ordinated attacks on symbolic buildings in three different cities on the eastern seaboard of the US, including the New York Stock Exchange and the World Bank, the south east London court was told.

Blueprints for these attacks were then refined and developed into plans for a series of attacks on buildings in London and the capital's transport systems.

Possible targets were the Heathrow Express or an explosion on a Tube train whilst in a tunnel under the Thames, it was said.

In spring 2004, the UK plans were completed and Barot went to Pakistan.

The timing suggests the purpose of the trip was to present his proposals to the al Qaeda leadership for support and funding, said Johnathan Laidlaw, for the Crown.

But in the summer of that year, the four-year conspiracy came to an end with the men's arrests.

Barot's team gave him the help he needed to make it possible for him to operate in this country and produce the terrorist plans.

"They were amongst his trusted few. They were his support team," Mr Laidlaw said.

"We do not suggest it was just these seven men - there may have been others - but these men were the most prominent amongst that team."

While Barot "lived in the shadows", planning the attacks, he needed the help "of those who could provide him with accommodation, false identities, access to false bank accounts, who could provide a place of storage for his plans and research material and access to computers etc", the barrister said.

He also needed minders and drivers - roles Jalil, Bhatti and Feroze fulfilled at various points - and people who could look after him as he carried out reconnaissance, as well as those who were prepared to run errands for him, the court was told.

The seven defendants did not produce the plans for the attacks and nor were they the instigators of them.

They were, it was said, "substantially subordinate" to Barot - who was at "General rank" - with Feroze, Jalil and Tarmohamed the next rank down as "Lieutenants", and the others holding more junior positions.

Mr Justice Butterfield said he had "suspicions" that some of the men may have recruited others to the terror cell.

But he pointed out that it was "certainly a possibility that the plans would not have been executed at all".

[Stoat]

See also these related items:

Dirty bomb plotters jailed for 136 years Uk News News Telegraph

Average student who met 9-11 mastermind Uk News News Telegraph

Profiles The Harrow gang Uk News News Telegraph

Profiles: The Harrow gang

By Duncan Gardham
 

Last Updated: 12:32pm BST 15/06/2007

• Nadeem Tarmohamed, 29, from Harrow:

  He traveled to America with Barot on both his trips, replacing Shaffi on the second when he fell ill.

  His close relationship with Barot was revealed by a dedication in his book which thanked him for being "simply invaluable."

  Tarmohamed had apparently bought books for the research of the project in 2002 and 2003 and he had read the plans for the American attack on his computer. When Barot was arrested he had a set of keys to Tarmohamed’s address.

  Mohammed Naveed Bhatti, 27, from Harrow:

  His father is a mechanic at a Jaguar showroom, and Bhatti, who has a degree in engineering, was studying for a postgraduate qualification at Brunel University. Two members of the fertilizer gang also studied at Brunel and Bhatti had a forged library card for the university with Barot’s photograph on it.

  Bhatti allowed Barot the use of his parents’ garage where much of the research material for the plot was recovered as well as an encrypted DVD of the American plans. Barot was also given the use of Bhatti’s computer where a deleted draft of the Gas Limos project was found.

  Bhatti acted as a chauffeur for Barot and an advertisement for a job as a petrol tanker driver was found at his house – an essential part of one of the gang’s co-ordinated attacks.

  Abdul Aziz Jalil, 34:

  He rented a safe-house for Barot in London where false identities, money and material from the American trips were stored. He also helped in the research for the project and read the plans for both the American and British attacks on his laptop.

  Jalil drove Barot around and appeared to act as his minder during meetings with others. He is thought to have attended a training camp in Pakistan and had applied for an HGV licence, suggesting he planned to drive a lorry as part of the gang’s plot.

  Zia ul-Haq, 28, from Wembley:

  He had a degree in architecture, planning, building and environmental studies and worked for a firm of chartered surveyors in London. Ul-Haq acted as a kind of consultant for Barot and helped him gain access to specialist libraries.

  Barot visited him on several occasions, on one of those traveling to Brent Reservoir where they talked for two hours in the rain.

  Qaisar Shaffi, 28, Harlesden:

  He traveled to America with Barot on the second reconnaissance trip but fell ill with tuberculosis and had to be taken to hospital and then flown home.

  When he was arrested police found printed pages from the Terrorists Handbook which referred to chemicals, explosives and the production of explosives., which had been downloaded from the internet in September 2000.

  At Paddington Green police station he made a tearful phone call to his father in which he told him: "I won’t be out soon, I might not be out in five years, ten years, 15 years, 20 years, ever, I don’t know.

  "They know I went to America, they know who I met, they know names and say I know people. I haven’t told them anything though.

  "Dad pray for me, I’m sorry for what I’ve done. Look after things. Go and pray for me."

  Omar Abdur Rehman, 23, from Watford:

  He was studying for a degree in graphic information design and had found work at the Ramada Hotel in Watford over the summer – hotels being one of the gang’s targets.

  Material on his computer suggested he had been tasked to conduct research into disabling security and fire detection systems.

  Junade Feroze, 31, from Lancashire:

  His family ran a garage in Blackburn, which could have been used to source cars and gas canisters for the plot.

  Feroz sent a number of coded messages from internet cafes, drove frequently to London and acted as a chauffeur and look out for Barot.

[samtheman]

What a total waste of jail space. Seven bullets would save the British taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.

[Stoat]

Barot was jailed for life last year for plotting to kill "hundreds if not thousands" of people using explosives-packed limousines and a "dirty" radiation bomb.

So, John Edwards, the War On Terror is "just a bumper-sticker phrase" ?

Your idiocy is not only breathtaking but is a danger to the entire planet.

[MNJohnnie]

So has the Political Left gone into their usual denial of uncomfortable reality mode and claim it is all a govt plot yet?

[Stoat]

What a total waste of jail space. Seven bullets would save the British taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Agreed, but there doesn't appear to be the political will (on either side of the pond) to invoke such commonsense and practical solutions.  We are still not taking this war seriously.

[Stoat]

So has the Political Left gone into their usual denial of uncomfortable reality mode and claim it is all a govt plot yet?

This will undoubtedly happen soon.  The "usual suspects" will manufacture conspiracies using all manner of nonexistent or twisted data to put the blame on President Bush, somehow.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

They only did it because we're in Iraq.
</sarcasm>

[Stoat]

They only did it because we're in Iraq.
</sarcasm>

Yes, and if we weren't in Iraq, we would be told that it's because we're "isolationists" and "not engaging with the international community" and "not leading with positive international policy initiatives".

 

[samtheman]

We are still not taking this war seriously.

Sometimes, when trying to work up a charitable feeling towards our President, I wonder if he isn't totally caving to the RATS on everything involving our security merely in order to set us up for the big one, the final terrorist attack that will finally unify us.

But of course, that would be a) giving Bush too much credit, and b) accusing him of being willing to sacrifice the lives of thousands or millions of Americans.

And I don't want to do either of those things.

[samtheman]

Look at these faces. They are coming to a neighborhood near you. Soon. And for the rest of your life.

[Gideon T. Reader]

Hasidim or Amish again?

[Stoat]

I wonder if he isn't totally caving to the RATS on everything involving our security merely in order to set us up for the big one, the final terrorist attack that will finally unify us.

I have trouble seeing such malice in President Bush.  My feeling is that his collaboration with the Socialists is borne out of an honest but misguided and naive desire to 'work together', but he clearly doesn't appreciate the evil foundations of the Left, and of their desire to win at all costs.  He wants to accentuate the positive whenever possible and try to find the good in others, as is Judeo / Christian tradition, but he obviously doesn't appreciate the tenacity, inherent evil and thinly-disguised ill will on the American Left.  He should have 'cleaned house' completely upon attaining the Presidency rather than trying to extend a Christian hand of kindness, which as been bitten by the Left at every opportunity.  He doesn't understand that the Left isn't interested in working together or in being friends; they are only interested in gaining power, and however many people die as a result is just part of the necessary process as far as they are concerned.

And our Republican Congressmen have been equally naive.

That being said, his naiveté and misplaced kindness may indeed produce the same end result as your hypothetical suggestion, which I know you don't subscribe to.

Look at these faces. They are coming to a neighborhood near you. Soon. And for the rest of your life.

Any weird activity perpetrated by jihadists in the USA will be revisited upon them a thousand fold.  Muslims had better police their own communities, or better yet drop the notion that they are a separate 'community' and embrace America and American values, and do it fast. 

[Stoat]

Hasidim or Amish again?

Yes, those pesky Amish are always causing trouble!  Everybody knows that their horse-drawn carriages are all packed with explosives and poised for terror attacks at any moment!

[Nahanni]

They are coming to a neighborhood near you. Soon. And for the rest of your life. Not for the rest of my life. Why? Americans are armed, Europeans are not. The Islamists rely on the left, it's "advocacy groups" and the MSM propaganda machine to protect them and cow us. Unfortunately for them they do not realize that it will only work until the people reach the "Popeye point" with them. After that, all bets are off.

[Stoat]

Americans are armed, Europeans are not.

An essential component to the equation that many ignore or minimize in terms of it's importance.

[samtheman]

I didn’t mean to imply that we will be as helpless a the disarmed Brits and Eurotrash. But rather, with nearly all hour elected leaders so hell-bent on opening the border to everyone, from everywhere, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of these faces around town as time goes on.

That’s all I’m saying.

[samtheman]

You’re right. I was just thinking out loud. I don’t think Bush is really doing things on purpose, to purposely set up the next terror attack, so that then America will finally unite and fight back.

You are right. He’s just acting like the typical simple tool who wants to be great friends with everybody, including all the traitors in our midst that hate his guts anyway, have always hated his guts, and will continue to hate his guts no matter how much he panders to them.

It’s just when I see him react to that hatred by increasing his pander to every higher levels, I can’t help thinking he’s trying to lose on purpose. I know it’s an errant thought. But I can’t help it. Sometimes, seeing the unbelievably counter-productive way he and his whole team behaves, makes me wonder about the motivation sometimes.

But again, I’m sure you’re right.

[Stoat]

I was just thinking out loud. I don’t think Bush is really doing things on purpose,

I understand; and I apologize if I conveyed an alternate impression.  No offense, unkindness or accusation was intended  :-)

It’s just when I see him react to that hatred by increasing his pander to every higher levels,

I have known quite a few devout Christians (oftentimes Evangelicals) as well as some Mormons who place an EXTREMELY high emphasis on "turning the other cheek"  and reacting to rude behavior, unkindness and sometimes pure evil put forth by others by increasing their kindness and working toward leading bad people through their own good examples of tolerance, forgiveness and a strong appreciation of redemption.  I am assuming that many Quakers might be similarly inclined, but I'm embarrassed to say that I have knowingly met only three Quakers on any more than superficial circumstances and so my experience there is woefully inadequate.

There's quite a range of opinion on this sort of thing within Christianity, as evidenced by some of our greatest and most formidable military leaders such as Generals Washington, Patton and many others who were very devoutly Christian yet quite effective and relentless in using force against an enemy.  President Bush is resolute in pursuing the War on Terror but, as we all have seen, slow to slap down America's enemies here at home.

I believe that much of this rests on the weight given to The Golden Rule, but unfortunately my knowledge of other Scriptural relationships to these issues and how they might be guiding President Bush in his actions are inadequate.

Pinging NYer and Salvation to this thread because I believe that you (or another poster...all are welcome of course) will probably be able to provide a much more coherent insight into these sorts of issues as they relate to Scripture and President Bush's motivations than this scruffy, fleabitten stoat is able to  :-)

[Ben Chad]

Look a lot like the old women TSA routinely pats down at airports.

/s

[Stoat]

Look a lot like the old women TSA routinely pats down at airports.

/s

LMAO!

Yes, the glaring disconnect between policy (as driven by politics and political-correctness) and reality is really something isn't it?

My 80 year old mother will be flying to Atlanta to visit her sister in a few days, and she will need to arrive hours early for the rude patdown just like everyone else.

It's not only offensive but a huge waste of tax dollars when one considers how much more effective the preflight screenings would be if they were more targeted.

Look a lot like the old women TSA routinely pats down at airports.

/s