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21 July witness 'fears al-Qaeda' 21 July witness 'fears al-Qaeda'
(30 minutes later)
A witness giving evidence against the alleged 21 July bomb plotters fears death at the hands of al-Qaeda, Woolwich Crown Court has heard.A witness giving evidence against the alleged 21 July bomb plotters fears death at the hands of al-Qaeda, Woolwich Crown Court has heard.
The witness, who is being referred to by the pseudonym Michael Bexhill, lived with one of the defendants up until two months before the alleged 2005 plot.The witness, who is being referred to by the pseudonym Michael Bexhill, lived with one of the defendants up until two months before the alleged 2005 plot.
Mr Bexhill was asked why he chose to join a witness protection programme.Mr Bexhill was asked why he chose to join a witness protection programme.
"Because the people who committed these acts have information about me and they can reach me," he said."Because the people who committed these acts have information about me and they can reach me," he said.
"If they can kill people on the London Underground, they can kill me," he added."If they can kill people on the London Underground, they can kill me," he added.
Mr Bexhill shared a flat in Dalston, east London, with Muktar Ibrahim, the court has heard. If anyone in al-Qaeda became aware of this it is possible that they could kill me because it is their belief that someone like me who is giving evidence against a Muslim to a non-Muslim deserves to be killed Michael Bexhill class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6339049.stm">Special measures for witness
Mr Ibrahim is one of six six defendants who deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life. Nigel Sweeney QC, prosecuting, asked who he was referring to and he replied: "All those against whom I have given evidence because these people who have committed these things think that people like me should be killed.
"If anyone in al-Qaeda became aware of this it is possible that they could kill me because it is their belief that someone like me who is giving evidence against a Muslim to a non-Muslim deserves to be killed."
Mr Bexhill shared a flat in Dalston, east London, with Muktar Ibrahim, the court has heard. He has described Mr Ibrahim and another defendant, Yassin Omar, as "fanatics" who watched jihadi videos all the time.
The witness said he felt compelled to come forward after seeing photographs of Mr Ibrahim and Mr Omar on television.
Counsel for Adel Yahya (pictured) accused Mr Bexhill of lying
He said: "I felt that I had to call the police in order to assist them because whatever happens to the victims could happen to me, could happen to anybody.
"These people do not distinguish between civilian and non-civilian, they do not distinguish between Muslim and non-Muslim.
"It makes no difference, they just kill."
Stabbed a man
Earlier, under cross-examination by counsel for Adel Yahya, Mr Bexhill admitted he had stabbed a man in 2000.
He said he had acted in self-defence and added: "He was trying to cause me harm, to injure me and I was very young."
Peter Thornton QC accused him of lying in statements he made to police about his client, Mr Yahya.
He said: "Before the police were interested in Mr Yahya you had nothing bad to say about him at, is that right? You have lied against your old friend, haven't you?"
Mr Bexhill repeatedly denied the accusation.
Mr Ibrahim is one of six defendants who deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life.
Also on trial are Yassin Omar, Hussain Osman, Ramzi Mohammed, Adel Yahya and Manfu Kwaku Asiedu.Also on trial are Yassin Omar, Hussain Osman, Ramzi Mohammed, Adel Yahya and Manfu Kwaku Asiedu.