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21/7 suspect 'lied on epic scale' | 21/7 suspect 'lied on epic scale' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One of the 21 July bomb plot suspects has agreed in court that he "lied to police on an epic scale". | One of the 21 July bomb plot suspects has agreed in court that he "lied to police on an epic scale". |
Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, told Woolwich Crown Court that he only realised there was an alleged suicide bomb plot on 21 July 2005. | Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, told Woolwich Crown Court that he only realised there was an alleged suicide bomb plot on 21 July 2005. |
On that day, he was shown how the rucksack devices would work, and could then scarcely believe what was happening. | On that day, he was shown how the rucksack devices would work, and could then scarcely believe what was happening. |
Six men deny conspiracy to murder and to cause explosions. | Six men deny conspiracy to murder and to cause explosions. |
'Like a zombie' | 'Like a zombie' |
Mr Asiedu said that until the day itself terrorism had not come into his mind. | Mr Asiedu said that until the day itself terrorism had not come into his mind. |
He said: "I was not aware of any plan at all, whether it was suicide bombing or not suicide bombing." | He said: "I was not aware of any plan at all, whether it was suicide bombing or not suicide bombing." |
Ghanaian-born Mr Asiedu agreed with Nigel Sweeney QC, for the prosecution, that the other defendants had persuaded or tricked him into taking part. | Ghanaian-born Mr Asiedu agreed with Nigel Sweeney QC, for the prosecution, that the other defendants had persuaded or tricked him into taking part. |
"The way they were talking and what was happening that morning, I just could not believe it myself," said Mr Asiedu. | "The way they were talking and what was happening that morning, I just could not believe it myself," said Mr Asiedu. |
He said he did not leave and had helped to mix the charge in the "bombs" because at that stage he was "terrified" and acting "just like a zombie". | He said he did not leave and had helped to mix the charge in the "bombs" because at that stage he was "terrified" and acting "just like a zombie". |
I lied about the whole day of July 21 Manfo Kwaku Asiedu | I lied about the whole day of July 21 Manfo Kwaku Asiedu |
He told the court he left the flat they had used with a live bomb on his back before dumping it, without removing the detonator, and later provided fellow suspect Yassin Omar with clothing through a third party. | He told the court he left the flat they had used with a live bomb on his back before dumping it, without removing the detonator, and later provided fellow suspect Yassin Omar with clothing through a third party. |
Mr Asiedu also said he had returned to the "bomb factory" in New Southgate, north London, to remove the leftover peroxide and other property used by him and his fellow suspects. | Mr Asiedu also said he had returned to the "bomb factory" in New Southgate, north London, to remove the leftover peroxide and other property used by him and his fellow suspects. |
It would have been such a "bold move" to come out into the open and identify his co-defendants because of his own level of involvement, Mr Asiedu claimed. | It would have been such a "bold move" to come out into the open and identify his co-defendants because of his own level of involvement, Mr Asiedu claimed. |
He told the court that when he finally went to police, it was to deny any association with the attacks and he rejected the idea he had concocted a plan beforehand about what to tell them. | He told the court that when he finally went to police, it was to deny any association with the attacks and he rejected the idea he had concocted a plan beforehand about what to tell them. |
But he agreed with Mr Sweeney's description that he had lied to police on an "epic" scale, including not telling them his real name, religion or background, about buying the peroxide or what he did after the "attacks" had failed. | But he agreed with Mr Sweeney's description that he had lied to police on an "epic" scale, including not telling them his real name, religion or background, about buying the peroxide or what he did after the "attacks" had failed. |
'Cover up' | 'Cover up' |
He said: "It is unbelievable when I look back at these lies...I lied about the whole day of July 21." | He said: "It is unbelievable when I look back at these lies...I lied about the whole day of July 21." |
Mr Sweeney said: "You lied through your teeth as to who the bombers were." | Mr Sweeney said: "You lied through your teeth as to who the bombers were." |
Mr Asiedu replied: "Yes I did. I did not want to associate myself with them after realising what they had put me through." | Mr Asiedu replied: "Yes I did. I did not want to associate myself with them after realising what they had put me through." |
Mr Asiedu denied lying to cover up his own guilt, maintaining that he was initially manipulated by co-defendant Muktar Said Ibrahim to follow the story that the attacks were meant only to be a hoax but realised once the trial had started that he had to tell the truth. | Mr Asiedu denied lying to cover up his own guilt, maintaining that he was initially manipulated by co-defendant Muktar Said Ibrahim to follow the story that the attacks were meant only to be a hoax but realised once the trial had started that he had to tell the truth. |
He denied Mr Sweeney's accusation that he had been selected to go out and buy the hydrogen peroxide needed to make the bombs because he was "the best liar amongst the group". | |
Mr Asiedu said he had been calm when buying the material because he did not know was it was allegedly to be used for. | |
Omar, 26, from New Southgate, north London, Asiedu, of no fixed address, Ibrahim, 29, of Stoke Newington, north London, Hussain Osman, 28, of no fixed address, Ramzi Mohammed, 25, of North Kensington, west London, and Adel Yahya, 24, of High Road, Tottenham, north London, are accused of taking part in an extremist Muslim plot to carry out a series of suicide bombings on the London transport system. | Omar, 26, from New Southgate, north London, Asiedu, of no fixed address, Ibrahim, 29, of Stoke Newington, north London, Hussain Osman, 28, of no fixed address, Ramzi Mohammed, 25, of North Kensington, west London, and Adel Yahya, 24, of High Road, Tottenham, north London, are accused of taking part in an extremist Muslim plot to carry out a series of suicide bombings on the London transport system. |
They all deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life. | They all deny charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life. |
The trial was adjourned until Monday. |
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