Fed: Terror suspect may support "killing of infidels": judge

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2007
Fed: Terror suspect may support "killing of infidels": judge

By Danny Rose

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - A Sydney man facing a terrorism-related trial has been denied
bail after a judge said there was evidence to show he supported the "killing of infidels".

Mohammed Omar Jamal, 23, had applied for bail in the NSW Supreme Court, where he and
eight other men are due to face trial on February 25 for conspiring to perform acts in
preparation for a terrorist attack.

Jamal's lawyer Greg Scragg had argued there were exceptional circumstances in favour
of his client being granted bail, among them his ill health caused by gallstone problems
and the weakness of the crown case.

Justice Anthony Whealy, in his ruling handed down today, said the crown appeared to
have a strong case against Jamal.

"It can be said that the case against the applicant is by no means a weak case, rather
it is a formidable one," Justice Whealy said.

He said the crown had evidence to suggest Jamal was linked to the ordering of industrial
chemicals, and also to extremist material, including a bomb-making manual.

In referring to his eight co-accused, Justice Whealy also said there was evidence to
suggest they held "common beliefs".

"Each of the conspirators considers himself to be a devout Muslim," Justice Whealy said.

He also said the group believed Islam "throughout the world has been under attack and
there is a religious obligation to come to the defence".

He also said the crown case pointed to a belief in "violent jihad ... including the
killing of infidels."

Justice Whealy dismissed the application for bail but he did issue an order for his
medical case to be "elevated in the surgical list" in a bid to prevent a clash with his
trial in February.

Jamal has been in custody since his arrest in late 2005.

AAP dr/dg/was/it/bwl

KEYWORD: JAMAL

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