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Bomb plot suspect 'was fanatical' Bomb plot accused 'were fanatics'
(about 2 hours later)
One of the alleged 21 July bomb plotters was a "fanatical" Muslim who spoke of jihad, a former friend says. Two of the alleged 21 July bomb plotters were "fanatical" Muslims who spoke of jihad, a former friend says.
Muktar Ibrahim would apparently discuss fighting people who were killing Muslims, including the British and Americans, Woolwich Crown Court heard. Muktar Ibrahim and Yassin Omar watched jihadi films about Afghanistan and Bosnia, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
Michael Bexhill - a false name - said his old friend watched jihadi films and listened to Osama bin Laden speeches. Michael Bexhill - a false name - said Mr Ibrahim had invited him to go "for jihad", and told him the next time they meet might be in heaven.
Mr Ibrahim is one of six men who deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions in London in 2005. Both men and four others deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions in London in 2005.
Giving evidence from behind a large screen to hide his identity, Mr Bexhill described Mr Ibrahim's religious views as "fanatical, radical". Giving evidence from behind a large screen to hide his identity, Mr Bexhill said the men would argue in favour of suicide bombings and he would try to persuade them they were wrong.
Tight security 'Shaved beards'
"Actually he used to speak about jihad and he used to be against those people who did not like people doing jihadi actions," he said. Mr Bexhill, in his mid 20s, lived in Mr Ibrahim's home for three months at the end of 2004.
The jury also heard that Mr Ibrahim listened to recordings of speeches by radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri and scholars who encourage people to fight for jihad. After moving out, Mr Ibrahim told him he was going to haj and then "for jihad", the jury heard.
Nigel Sweeney QC, prosecuting, asked Mr Bexhill to explain what he meant by "jihad". Mr Bexhill said he was going with two others and they were to shave their beards to avoid arousing suspicion at the airport.
"Fighting against those people who are killing Muslim people," he replied. "Muktar Ibrahim, he told me that maybe I wouldn't see him again, maybe we are going to see each other in heaven," he said.
The reason why it has happened is that the courts are more sensitive than in years gone by Mr Justice Fulford class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6339049.stm">'Monstrous' screen at trial Speaking at times through an interpreter, he told the jury Mr Ibrahim would talk about American soldiers and the British Army killing Muslims. He said it was because Mr Ibrahim was going to die in jihad.
Some of the films he watched showed people in Afghanistan fighting the Russians as well as jihad in Bosnia, he said. The reason why it has happened is that the courts are more sensitive than in years gone by Mr Justice Fulford class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6339049.stm">'Monstrous' screen at trial
The court also heard Mr Ibrahim had received training in Sudan and learned how to use a rocket-propelled grenade.
He also went to a training camp in Scotland with Mr Omar and another defendant, Adel Yahya, in summer 2004 to prepare for jihad, Mr Bexhill told the jury.
"They were doing some training, but without weapons so they could prepare to go to jihad in Afghanistan or in Iraq," he said.
Bin Laden
Earlier, the court heard that Mr Ibrahim would discuss fighting people who were killing Muslims, including the British and Americans.
The jury also heard that Mr Ibrahim listened to recordings of speeches by Osama bin Laden, radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri and scholars who encourage people to fight for jihad.
Judge Mr Justice Fulford told the jury that the tight security around Mr Bexhill's identity was to help him feel more at ease.Judge Mr Justice Fulford told the jury that the tight security around Mr Bexhill's identity was to help him feel more at ease.
After being sworn in, he wrote his real name on a piece of paper which was handed to each of the jurors, but his true identity has been hidden from the press, members of the public and the defendants.After being sworn in, he wrote his real name on a piece of paper which was handed to each of the jurors, but his true identity has been hidden from the press, members of the public and the defendants.
Mr Justice Fulford told the jury: "You must not in any way hold the fact that there are screens in court and the fact that the witness has asked to remain anonymous...in any way against any of these defendants." Mr Justice Fulford said the screens did not mean the evidence given was "honest, dishonest or anywhere in between" and they should be treated as "completely irrelevant".
The court heard the witness, who is in his mid 20s, came to the UK in 2001 to study English in East Sussex. Mr Ibrahim, Mr Omar and Mr Yahya are on trial over an alleged plot to cause explosions on London's transport network, alongside Manfo Asiedu, Hussein Osman and Ramzi Mohammed.
Two years later he moved to London, where he met another of the defendants, Adel Yahya. name="suspects">
Mr Yahya offered him accommodation at Mr Ibrahim's home, where he lived for three months at the end of 2004. class="bodl" href="#top">Return to top
Mr Yahya and Mr Ibrahim are on trial over an alleged plot to cause explosions on London's transport network, alongside Manfo Asiedu, Hussein Osman, Yassin Omar and Ramzi Mohammed.