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Militant camp was 'like bungee' | Militant camp was 'like bungee' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man accused of helping the 7 July suicide bombers has told his trial that training alongside mujahideen fighters felt "like a bungee jump". | A man accused of helping the 7 July suicide bombers has told his trial that training alongside mujahideen fighters felt "like a bungee jump". |
Mohammed Shakil, 31, said it had been a "great thrill" to fire guns at a mountain camp in Pakistan in 1999. | Mohammed Shakil, 31, said it had been a "great thrill" to fire guns at a mountain camp in Pakistan in 1999. |
But he told jurors he was later beaten up by lead bomber Mohammad Siddique Khan in a row over money. | But he told jurors he was later beaten up by lead bomber Mohammad Siddique Khan in a row over money. |
Prosecutors say Mr Shakil and two others went to London in 2004 to scout for bomb targets. All deny the charge. | Prosecutors say Mr Shakil and two others went to London in 2004 to scout for bomb targets. All deny the charge. |
Stealing cash | Stealing cash |
Mr Shakil told jurors at Kingston Crown Court that in 2003 he attended another militant training camp with Khan, the ringleader of the suicide bombings. | |
But less than a year later, having returned to the UK, the pair dramatically fell out when a petty dispute got out of hand. | |
He was attacking my body, my head, the rest of me Mohammed Shakil | |
Mr Shakil told the court that Khan physically assaulted him in August 2004 after accusing him of stealing cash raised in Leeds which he was sending to Kashmir. | |
"He started attacking me, very badly," Mr Shakil recalled. | |
"Sid used martial arts moves on me, elbows, knees, punching me on the floor. | |
"He was attacking my body, my head, the rest of me." | |
Mr Shakil said the attack only stopped when another future 7 July bomber, Shehzad Tanweer, dragged Khan off him. | |
'Fired lots' | |
Mr Shakil, also told the court that he spent 1999 in the disputed region of Kashmir, where he was born. | |
The court heard that the local mujahideen had been impressed with his support for them and invited him to a "starter camp" for new recruits. | |
Mr Shakil, a polio sufferer, decided to attend despite his disability. | Mr Shakil, a polio sufferer, decided to attend despite his disability. |
He said he spent the first day studying politics and religion and hearing nationalistic talk, before going on to fire weapons. | He said he spent the first day studying politics and religion and hearing nationalistic talk, before going on to fire weapons. |
Mr Shakil said: "Firing weapons high in the mountains had been a way to let off steam." | Mr Shakil said: "Firing weapons high in the mountains had been a way to let off steam." |
"I fired lots. It was a bungee jump for me." | "I fired lots. It was a bungee jump for me." |
He said he had been drawn into militant activity by his concern for the disputed region. | |
"My family would fully support the struggle in Kashmir," he said. | |
"Everyone pretty much held that view. That's the common view [of British Muslims]". | |
Mr Shakil, Sadeer Saleem and Waheed Ali all deny conspiracy to cause an explosion. The case continues. | Mr Shakil, Sadeer Saleem and Waheed Ali all deny conspiracy to cause an explosion. The case continues. |
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