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| 21/7 components 'for cosmetics' | 21/7 components 'for cosmetics' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man accused of involvement in an alleged plot to bomb London has told a jury he believed chemicals were being bought to be turned into cosmetics. | A man accused of involvement in an alleged plot to bomb London has told a jury he believed chemicals were being bought to be turned into cosmetics. |
| The prosecution claim hydrogen peroxide was a component of home-made devices to be set off on 21 July 2005. | The prosecution claim hydrogen peroxide was a component of home-made devices to be set off on 21 July 2005. |
| But Manfo Asiedu, 34, told Woolwich Crown Court he thought they would be used for goods sold on a market stall run by co-defendant Muktar Ibrahim. | But Manfo Asiedu, 34, told Woolwich Crown Court he thought they would be used for goods sold on a market stall run by co-defendant Muktar Ibrahim. |
| Mr Asiedu, Mr Ibrahim and four others deny conspiracy to cause explosions. | Mr Asiedu, Mr Ibrahim and four others deny conspiracy to cause explosions. |
| They also deny conspiracy to murder. | They also deny conspiracy to murder. |
| The other men on trial with Mr Asiedu, of no fixed abode, and Mr Ibrahim, 29, of Stoke Newington, north London, are: Ramzi Mohammed, 25 and Yassin Omar, 26, of New Southgate, north London; Hussein Osman 28, also of no fixed address; and Adel Yahya, 24, of Tottenham, north London. | The other men on trial with Mr Asiedu, of no fixed abode, and Mr Ibrahim, 29, of Stoke Newington, north London, are: Ramzi Mohammed, 25 and Yassin Omar, 26, of New Southgate, north London; Hussein Osman 28, also of no fixed address; and Adel Yahya, 24, of Tottenham, north London. |
| The prosecution have alleged the men wanted to target London's transport network as part of an extremist Muslim plot. | The prosecution have alleged the men wanted to target London's transport network as part of an extremist Muslim plot. |
| 'Extremist videos' | 'Extremist videos' |
| Mr Asiedu, who is said to have lost his nerve and dumped his device, has told the court he was not a "fanatic" and not involved in any planning. | Mr Asiedu, who is said to have lost his nerve and dumped his device, has told the court he was not a "fanatic" and not involved in any planning. |
| On his second day of giving evidence, Mr Asiedu broke down in tears in the witness box as he recalled the moment he believed he was being asked to be a suicide bomber. | |
| He said he had only realised what he was being asked to do on the same day the alleged plan was to be carried out. | |
| He told the court: "I wanted to live. I wanted to have a good life. I wanted to support my family. It is just something that I have never thought of in my life." | |
| I just thought they are those kind of people that will exploit you in the name of Islam Manfo Asiedu | I just thought they are those kind of people that will exploit you in the name of Islam Manfo Asiedu |
| Mr Asiedu confirmed he had bought some of the hydrogen peroxide. | |
| However, he said this was at the request of Mr Omar, who had provided him with a place to stay. | However, he said this was at the request of Mr Omar, who had provided him with a place to stay. |
| He said he felt increasingly put upon but when he complained about buying so many chemicals was told by Mr Omar he was helping a fellow Muslim. | He said he felt increasingly put upon but when he complained about buying so many chemicals was told by Mr Omar he was helping a fellow Muslim. |
| Asiedu told the court: "I just thought they are those kind of people that will exploit you in the name of Islam to do what they want to do." | Asiedu told the court: "I just thought they are those kind of people that will exploit you in the name of Islam to do what they want to do." |
| He went on to deny having watched extremist videos showing beheadings and instructions on how to be a suicide bomber found by police at the flat where he was living. | He went on to deny having watched extremist videos showing beheadings and instructions on how to be a suicide bomber found by police at the flat where he was living. |
| Asked by his counsel, Stephen Kamlish QC, whether he had seen the films, Mr Asiedu said: "No. Mostly, I didn't play videos at Curtis House. I didn't even watch TV. I'm so tired I just go to sleep." | Asked by his counsel, Stephen Kamlish QC, whether he had seen the films, Mr Asiedu said: "No. Mostly, I didn't play videos at Curtis House. I didn't even watch TV. I'm so tired I just go to sleep." |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |