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Imam murder trial jury shown photo of suspect in stab-proof vest Imam murder trial jury shown photo of suspect in stab-proof vest
(35 minutes later)
Jurors have been shown an image of the alleged Islamic State supporter accused of murdering a respected imam in Greater Manchester posing for the camera in a stab-proof vest.Jurors have been shown an image of the alleged Islamic State supporter accused of murdering a respected imam in Greater Manchester posing for the camera in a stab-proof vest.
The picture of Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, was presented at the trial for the murder of Muslim leader Jalal Uddin, 71, who was killed in a playground. The picture of Mohammed Hussain Syeedy, 21, was presented at the trial for the murder of Jalal Uddin, 71, in February.
In another photograph shown to the jury, Syeedy raises a single finger to the sky while holding a white flag over a Rochdale road sign that had been changed to read “war zone”. In another photograph shown to the jury, Syeedy points a finger to the sky while holding a white flag over a Rochdale road sign that had been changed to read “war zone”.
Syeedy is accused along with Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, of murdering Uddin because they allegedly viewed the elderly imam’s use of healing amulets as “black magic”. Syeedy is accused along with Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, of murdering Uddin. They allegedly viewed the elderly imam’s use of healing amulets as “black magic”.
The trial at Manchester crown court heard how Syeedy and Kadir stalked Uddin around the streets of Rochdale before Kadir launched a sickening attack on him with a hammer-like object. The trial at Manchester crown court heard how Syeedy and Kadir stalked Uddin around the streets of Rochdale before Kadir attacked him with a hammer-like object in a playground.
The pair mounted covert surveillance on Uddin six months before the killing on 18 February when they discovered he practised ruqya, a form of Islamic healing, the court has heard.The pair mounted covert surveillance on Uddin six months before the killing on 18 February when they discovered he practised ruqya, a form of Islamic healing, the court has heard.
Ruqya, which involves the use of amulets known as taweez, is considered a sin worthy of severe punishment – including death – by some Salafi Muslims and Isis supporters, jurors have been told.Ruqya, which involves the use of amulets known as taweez, is considered a sin worthy of severe punishment – including death – by some Salafi Muslims and Isis supporters, jurors have been told.
Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told the jury there was “clear and cogent” evidence that Syeedy and Kadir supported Isis.Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told the jury there was “clear and cogent” evidence that Syeedy and Kadir supported Isis.
In another photograph shown to jurors, Syeedy poses with a “Rochdale 2 Syria” banner ahead of what they described as an aid trip in 2013. He smiles alongside friends wearing black badges that show either a Kalashnikov or curved sword, widely used by Isis and other jihadi groups. In another photograph shown to jurors, Syeedy poses with a “Rochdale 2 Syria” banner before embarking on what they described as an aid trip in 2013. He smiles alongside friends wearing black badges that show either a Kalashnikov or curved sword, widely used by Isis and other jihadi groups.
Bearded Syeedy, wearing a grey suit and black shirt, sat in the glass-encased dock alongside a court officer as the photographs were shown. Jurors have been told that the co-accused Kadir is being hunted by police after he fled to Turkey three days after the killing.
Jurors have been told that his co-accused, Kadir, is being hunted by police after he fled to Turkey three days after the murder.
Syeedy was shown on CCTV driving his Vauxhall Astra closely behind Uddin before dropping Kadir off at the gates of a playground before the attack at 8.42pm.Syeedy was shown on CCTV driving his Vauxhall Astra closely behind Uddin before dropping Kadir off at the gates of a playground before the attack at 8.42pm.
Kadir, from Oldham, unleashed “repeated forceful blows” to Uddin’s head and mouth with a weapon believed to be a hammer, the court has heard, leaving him with severe skull fractures. Kadir, from Oldham, inflicted “repeated forceful blows” to Uddin’s head and mouth with a weapon believed to be a hammer, the court has heard, leaving him with severe skull fractures.
Syeedy, from Rochdale, could then be seen picking Kadir up at the other side of the playground at 8.43pm.Syeedy, from Rochdale, could then be seen picking Kadir up at the other side of the playground at 8.43pm.
Jurors have heard that Syeedy admits being with Kadir before and after the attack but denies knowing that the older defendant planned to murder Uddin.Jurors have heard that Syeedy admits being with Kadir before and after the attack but denies knowing that the older defendant planned to murder Uddin.
The trial continues.The trial continues.