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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Man guilty over 'terror library' | Man guilty over 'terror library' |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A failed asylum seeker who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" on his computer has been convicted of further charges. | A failed asylum seeker who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" on his computer has been convicted of further charges. |
| Omar Altimimi, of Bolton, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of two charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism. | Omar Altimimi, of Bolton, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of two charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism. |
| The 37-year-old had been found guilty of four similar charges on Wednesday. | |
| He will be sentenced on Friday with Yusuf Abdullah, 30, who earlier pleaded guilty to proceeds of crime offences. | He will be sentenced on Friday with Yusuf Abdullah, 30, who earlier pleaded guilty to proceeds of crime offences. |
| Altimimi had denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. | Altimimi had denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. |
| But on Wednesday he was convicted of four counts of possessing computer files connected with the preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. | But on Wednesday he was convicted of four counts of possessing computer files connected with the preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. |
| After further deliberations, the jury at Manchester Crown Court convicted him on Thursday of the two further charges as well as two charges under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act. | After further deliberations, the jury at Manchester Crown Court convicted him on Thursday of the two further charges as well as two charges under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act. |
| Nightclub targets | Nightclub targets |
| Nightclubs and airports were among the "suitable targets" identified in the "vast library" of terror material found on his computer, the jury heard. | Nightclubs and airports were among the "suitable targets" identified in the "vast library" of terror material found on his computer, the jury heard. |
| During his four-week trial, the jury heard how he had arrived in the UK from the Netherlands in 2004. | During his four-week trial, the jury heard how he had arrived in the UK from the Netherlands in 2004. |
| Prosecutors alleged that Altimimi created three identities and was collecting terror information on his computer. | Prosecutors alleged that Altimimi created three identities and was collecting terror information on his computer. |
| The jury convicted him of possessing files relating to an organisational chart for a terror cell, instructions on bomb detonators, instructions on making explosives, and details about chemical explosives and "bombing strategies". | The jury convicted him of possessing files relating to an organisational chart for a terror cell, instructions on bomb detonators, instructions on making explosives, and details about chemical explosives and "bombing strategies". |
| He was arrested last year on suspicion of money laundering when he tried to withdraw £3,000 believed to have been stolen from the Yemen Tourist Promotion Board, the court was told. | He was arrested last year on suspicion of money laundering when he tried to withdraw £3,000 believed to have been stolen from the Yemen Tourist Promotion Board, the court was told. |
| The prosecution said the computer carrying terror-related files was recovered from Altimimi's home when it was raided seven weeks after his arrest. | The prosecution said the computer carrying terror-related files was recovered from Altimimi's home when it was raided seven weeks after his arrest. |
| Police arrested Altimimi at the same time as they arrested Abdullah, also of Bolton. He has pleaded guilty to proceeds of crime offences, which police said related to acquiring $54,610 (£27,213) of criminal property. | Police arrested Altimimi at the same time as they arrested Abdullah, also of Bolton. He has pleaded guilty to proceeds of crime offences, which police said related to acquiring $54,610 (£27,213) of criminal property. |
| 'Terror cell' | 'Terror cell' |
| Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of the Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "We will never know who Altimimi really is. | Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter, head of the Greater Manchester Police Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "We will never know who Altimimi really is. |
| "He developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities. He is a congenital liar and has lied throughout this investigation." | "He developed a range of identities, which would allow him to expand his terrorist activities. He is a congenital liar and has lied throughout this investigation." |
| After the case, police released a photo of Altimimi at his computer | After the case, police released a photo of Altimimi at his computer |
| Det Ch Supt Porter said Altimimi used his wife and children to appear as an ordinary family man and blend into the community. | Det Ch Supt Porter said Altimimi used his wife and children to appear as an ordinary family man and blend into the community. |
| "But behind closed doors he was downloading shocking videos of executions, bomb-making recipes and information on how to establish a terrorist cell," he said. | "But behind closed doors he was downloading shocking videos of executions, bomb-making recipes and information on how to establish a terrorist cell," he said. |
| "He appears to have been a 'sleeper' remaining in the shadows waiting and preparing for action. | "He appears to have been a 'sleeper' remaining in the shadows waiting and preparing for action. |
| "We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do but it was clear he had support and links with terrorists across the world." | "We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do but it was clear he had support and links with terrorists across the world." |
| Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that when Altimimi's two computers were seized other material found included a job description for a role with GMP police and application forms for Bolton Council and for a teacher training position. | Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that when Altimimi's two computers were seized other material found included a job description for a role with GMP police and application forms for Bolton Council and for a teacher training position. |