This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7993441.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Canadian appeals UK plot ruling Canadian appeals UK plot ruling
(10 minutes later)
The first Canadian to be sentenced under the country's new anti-terrorism legislation will appeal against his conviction, his lawyer says.The first Canadian to be sentenced under the country's new anti-terrorism legislation will appeal against his conviction, his lawyer says.
Software developer Momin Khawaja was convicted of involvement in a foiled fertiliser bomb plot in Britain and sentenced to 10 years and six months. Pakistan-born Momin Khawaja was convicted of involvement in a foiled fertiliser bomb plot in Britain and sentenced to 10 years and six months.
He was found guilty in October 2008 by a judge in Ontario. He was tried without a jury.He was found guilty in October 2008 by a judge in Ontario. He was tried without a jury.
Legal experts regarded the trial as a test of Canada's anti-terror laws.Legal experts regarded the trial as a test of Canada's anti-terror laws.
Five British Muslims of Pakistani descent are serving life sentences after being convicted in London in 2007.Five British Muslims of Pakistani descent are serving life sentences after being convicted in London in 2007.
Khawaja's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, filed the appeal in Ontario, arguing that there were gaps in the prosecution's evidence, AP reported.Khawaja's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, filed the appeal in Ontario, arguing that there were gaps in the prosecution's evidence, AP reported.
Khawaja's appeal will be based on Justice Douglas Rutherford's acceptance that authorities could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was fully aware of the plot.Khawaja's appeal will be based on Justice Douglas Rutherford's acceptance that authorities could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was fully aware of the plot.
'Hi-fi digimonster''Hi-fi digimonster'
Khawaja, who had denied all seven charges related to terrorism and explosives use, was arrested in March 2004 in a joint UK-Canadian operation and was accused of planning to attack the UK. Software developer Khawaja, who had denied all seven charges related to terrorism and explosives use, was arrested in March 2004 in a joint UK-Canadian operation and was accused of planning to attack the UK.
The judge ruled in October that he had knowingly participated in the foiled plot against several British targets, including a shopping centre, nightclub and the gas network.The judge ruled in October that he had knowingly participated in the foiled plot against several British targets, including a shopping centre, nightclub and the gas network.
As well as five terrorism offences, he was also found guilty of two separate criminal charges of having worked on a device to activate a bomb detonator and possessing an explosive substance.As well as five terrorism offences, he was also found guilty of two separate criminal charges of having worked on a device to activate a bomb detonator and possessing an explosive substance.
The court was earlier told he had been part of a plan to detonate a 600kg bomb which would have caused "massive" loss of life.The court was earlier told he had been part of a plan to detonate a 600kg bomb which would have caused "massive" loss of life.
Khawaja designed a remote bomb detonator which he called the "hi-fi digimonster", prosecutors said.Khawaja designed a remote bomb detonator which he called the "hi-fi digimonster", prosecutors said.
He was also accused of attending a paramilitary training camp in Pakistan.He was also accused of attending a paramilitary training camp in Pakistan.
In February 2004, Khawaja appeared on the radar of the security services who already had the British fertiliser bomb plot conspirators under surveillance.In February 2004, Khawaja appeared on the radar of the security services who already had the British fertiliser bomb plot conspirators under surveillance.
When he arrived at Heathrow airport he was met by Omar Khyam - one of the Britons convicted last year - who was under surveillance from specialist counter-terrorism officers.When he arrived at Heathrow airport he was met by Omar Khyam - one of the Britons convicted last year - who was under surveillance from specialist counter-terrorism officers.
One of the surveillance officers told the British plot trial they had no idea who the Canadian was, or what his role was in the plot.One of the surveillance officers told the British plot trial they had no idea who the Canadian was, or what his role was in the plot.
But as Khyam drove off in his four-wheel drive vehicle, the officers listening in heard him and the Canadian discuss a remote-controlled device designed to trigger the bomb the men were planning.But as Khyam drove off in his four-wheel drive vehicle, the officers listening in heard him and the Canadian discuss a remote-controlled device designed to trigger the bomb the men were planning.
The new Canadian law gives the government wider powers to keep intelligence information secret on national security grounds and limits defendants' access to evidence used against them.The new Canadian law gives the government wider powers to keep intelligence information secret on national security grounds and limits defendants' access to evidence used against them.