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Australia cleric gets jail term | Australia cleric gets jail term |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Muslim cleric has been given a 15-year jail sentence in Australia for plotting to attack sporting events. | A Muslim cleric has been given a 15-year jail sentence in Australia for plotting to attack sporting events. |
Abdul Nacer Benbrika and six others were found guilty in September of planning the attacks, which were never carried out. | Abdul Nacer Benbrika and six others were found guilty in September of planning the attacks, which were never carried out. |
Then-Prime Minister John Howard was also among the targets for "violent jihad", a court in Melbourne heard. | Then-Prime Minister John Howard was also among the targets for "violent jihad", a court in Melbourne heard. |
Judge Bernard Bongiorno ruled that Benbrika would not be eligible for parole for at least 12 years. | Judge Bernard Bongiorno ruled that Benbrika would not be eligible for parole for at least 12 years. |
Prosecutors said that Benbrika and his men had discussed attacking two iconic sporting events; the Australian Rules Football grand final and Melbourne's Formula One Grand Prix. | |
They told the court that the aim of the plot was to force the Australian government to pull its troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
Prosecutors insisted that the Algerian-born cleric had said it was permissible to kill women, children and the elderly. | |
"The organisation fostered and encouraged its members to engage in violent jihad and to perform a terrorist act," Judge Bongiorno told Victoria's Supreme Court. | "The organisation fostered and encouraged its members to engage in violent jihad and to perform a terrorist act," Judge Bongiorno told Victoria's Supreme Court. |
The trial of Algerian-born Benbrika and his followers lasted more than six months. | The trial of Algerian-born Benbrika and his followers lasted more than six months. |
His six accomplices received minimum jail terms of between four and seven-and-a-half years. | His six accomplices received minimum jail terms of between four and seven-and-a-half years. |