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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Man jailed over terror cell plans | Man jailed over terror cell plans |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" has been jailed for nine years. | A man who stored up what police called a "vast library of terrorist material" has been jailed for nine years. |
| Omar Altimimi of Bolton, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of six charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism. | Omar Altimimi of Bolton, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of six charges of possession of material for a purpose connected with terrorism. |
| He hoarded manuals on how to set up a terror cell and carry out bombings and had identified night clubs and airports among "suitable targets". | He hoarded manuals on how to set up a terror cell and carry out bombings and had identified night clubs and airports among "suitable targets". |
| Altimimi, 37, was also convicted of two proceeds of crime offences. | Altimimi, 37, was also convicted of two proceeds of crime offences. |
| Altimimi, a failed asylum seeker, had denied all knowledge of the material found on his computer and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. | Altimimi, a failed asylum seeker, 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. |
| Terror cell | Terror cell |
| 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. |
| 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 Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter | |
| 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. |
| '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." |
| 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. |