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Terror student sentence expected Man jailed for terrorism offences
(about 13 hours later)
A man convicted of three terrorism offences is due to be sentenced. A man convicted of three terrorism offences has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, from Alva, in Clackmannanshire, will appear at the High Court in Edinburgh. Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, from Alva, in Clackmannanshire, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.
At his trial, jury members were told the young Muslim was a "wannabe suicide bomber" who had been apprehended by police targeting extreme Islamists.At his trial, jury members were told the young Muslim was a "wannabe suicide bomber" who had been apprehended by police targeting extreme Islamists.
Siddique, who was a student, was convicted for possessing terrorism- related items including CDs and videos of weapons use and bomb-making. Siddique was convicted of possessing terrorism-related items including videos of weapons use and bomb-making.
Jurors also found him guilty of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications. Delivering sentence, judge Lord Carloway told Siddique: "You told fellow college students that you intended to become a terrorist and one of your targets would be central Glasgow."
The student was found guilty of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications.
SENTENCING STATEMENT Read the judge's comments [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
A further charge of breach of the peace related to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings.A further charge of breach of the peace related to claims that he showed students at Glasgow Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings.
Security surveillance The offences were alleged to have been carried out between 1 March 2003 and 13 April last year.
Following the four-week trial, Lord Carloway told Siddique, whose parents run a general store in the small town of Alva: "You have been convicted of significant contraventions of the terrorism acts. He had been under covert surveillance by the security services for several months when he was detained at Glasgow Airport as he was about to board a flight to Lahore in Pakistan with his uncle.
"In particular having in your possession articles connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism." Lord Carloway said that the items found in Siddique's possession indicated he had close links with those who promoted al Qaeda.
During the trial, prosecutor Brian McConnachie told the court that Siddique had been at the centre of top-level surveillance by police and security services. 'Challenging inquiry'
A computer disc found hidden under a carpet in the accused's family home contained images including Islamic extremists looting the body of a dead US serviceman. He added: "The jury were well entitled to the view on the evidence that you were planning to play some part in an act of terrorism, perhaps as a suicide bomber, and that you had the material in your possession for that purpose, either for your own encouragement and assistance or to encourage or assist others."
Siddique's laptop had an al-Qaeda recruiting video urging young Muslim men to become suicide bombers. The judge acknowledged that despite his crimes, Siddique had been in custody for more than a year before being brought to trial.
He also set up a website that had links on how to be a home-grown terrorist, including bomb making advice and how to strip weapons. He said: "I note that the delay appears to have been caused by repeated applications by the defence for continuations to allow further defence preparation.
The accused, who did not give evidence, claimed that the material he collected was for research. Lord Carloway sentenced Siddique at the High Court in Edinburgh
His QC, Donald Findlay, argued that such material could easily be obtained by anyone on the internet. "Nevertheless, this court does not regard this period as acceptable in a modern judicial system."
Siddique's eight-year sentence will be back-dated to 13 April 2006 when he was arrested.
The investigation into Siddique's crimes was led by Central Scotland Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Maureen Brown said the force would not comment directly on the sentence handed down.
She said: "Mohammed Atif Siddique was found guilty by a jury of serious criminal charges which were the result of what was a complex and challenging inquiry for Central Scotland Police.
"This continues to be a challenging period for our communities but we have a strong record in Central Scotland of working with all members of the public regardless of race or religion to ensure public safety and confidence is maintained."