Australia: Islamist terrorists convicted

Something rather refreshing:

A Muslim cleric and five of his followers have been convicted of belonging to a terrorist group which allegedly planned attacks in Australia.

A jury in Melbourne found Abdul Nacer Benbrika guilty of leading the group. The group was accused of planning to stage “violent jihad”, targeting the prime minister and major sports events. Four other men were acquitted.

Charges are pending against two others, in what is being described as Australia’s biggest ever terrorism trial.

During the long-running trial, prosecutors had argued that the group planned to attack an Australian rules football final that attracts nearly 100,000 people every year in Melbourne.

The men were also accused of plotting to assassinate former Prime Minister John Howard, who had authorised the deployment of Australian troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Melbourne jury convicts militants

They were peaceful guys, with a lot of respect for fellow infidel countrymen…

More information on the terrorist plot here and here.

Technorati tags: Australia,terrorism,Abdul Nacer Benbrika,Islamism,John Howard