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{{short description|Thwarted terror attack in 2005 in Sydney, Australia}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} |
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{{Terrorism in Australia}} |
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The '''2005 Sydney terrorism plot''' concerned a group of five men arrested in 2005 on charges of planning an act of terrorism targeting [[Sydney]], the capital of [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. The group was found guilty on October 16, 2009 and awaits sentencing. |
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The '''2005 Sydney terrorism plot''' concerned a group of five men arrested in 2005 on charges of planning an act of terrorism targeting [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]'s most populous city and the [[capital (political)|capital]] of [[New South Wales]]. The group was found guilty on 16 October 2009 and were sentenced on 15 February 2010 for terms up to 28 years.<ref>Woods, Ian (15 February 2010) [http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Australia-Terror-Attack-Plotters-Jailed-In-Sydney-For-Up-To-28-Years-For-Planning-Jihadist-Attacks/Article/201002315549144?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15549144_Australia_Terror_Attack_Plotters_Jailed_In_Sydney_For_Up_To_28_Years_For_Planning_Jihadist_Attacks Terror Plot Gang Jailed In Australia] [[Sky News]]. Retrieved 15 February 2010</ref> |
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== Charges == |
== Charges == |
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Khaled Cheikho, Moustafa Cheikho, Mohamed Ali Elomar, Abdul Rakib Hasan, and Mohammed Omar Jamal were arrested in various neighbourhoods of Sydney and were tried in the [[New South Wales Supreme Court]] over a terror-related plot they planned between July 2004 and November 2005. Each pleaded [[not guilty (plea)|not guilty]] to charges of conspiring to commit a terrorist act or acts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=664371|title=Terror accused 'desensitised' themselves|date=12 November 2008|accessdate=17 October 2009|work=Nine News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119185255/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=664371|archive-date=19 November 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The final cost of the trial is expected to be more than A$10 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/terror-nines-45m-legal-bill/story-e6freuzi-1111113527947 |title=Terror Nine's A$4.5m legal bill |first1=Janet|last1=Fife-Yeomans|first2=Kelvin|last2=Bissett |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Australia |date=17 May 2007 }}</ref> |
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The [[Crown Prosecutor]] claimed that the men were motivated by a belief that Islam was under attack.<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite |
The [[Crown Prosecutor]] claimed that the men were motivated by a belief that [[Islam]] was under attack.<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/mar/06/australia |title=Australian terror suspects appear in court |work='The Guardian |date=6 March 2007 |accessdate=17 October 2009 | location=London}}</ref> The five allegedly had links to [[Abdul Nacer Benbrika]], who is under arrest in [[Melbourne]].<ref name="guardian.co.uk" /> Police searches of their homes discovered instructions on bomb-making, 28,000 rounds of ammunition (including 11,000 [[7.62×39mm]]), 12 rifles, militant Islamist literature, and footage of beheadings carried out by Islamists, and also of aircraft crashing into the [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|World Trade Center]] on [[11 September attacks|11 September 2001]]. According to the prosecution, the men purchased explosive chemicals and guns between July 2004 and November 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-11-11-796966386_x.htm |title=Terror trial begins in Australia |date=11 November 2008 |work=USA Today |accessdate=17 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Neighbour, Sally |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/anger-venom-and-hatred/story-e6frg6z6-1225830679024 |title=Anger, venom and hatred |date=16 February 2010 |work=The Australian |accessdate=17 February 2010}}</ref> |
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== Trial == |
== Trial == |
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The men were put on trial late in 2008. Closing arguments were heard on July |
The men were put on trial late in 2008. Closing arguments were heard on 28 July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorism suspect's training camp link|first1=Malcolm|last1=Brown |date=28 July 2009 |work=Brisbane Times |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/terrorism-suspectx2019s-training-camp-link-20090727-dyrh.html}}</ref> The trial took place in a specially-built high-security court building in Sydney.<ref name=ABC/><ref name=Telegraph/> Prosecutor Richard Maidment claimed that the five men wanted "violent [[jihad]] which involved the application of extreme force and violence, including the killing of those who did not share the fundamentalist... extremist, beliefs".<ref name=Reuters>{{cite news | title = Five men found guilty in Australia of terror plot | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSSP465220 | publisher = Reuters | first = Michael | last = Perry | date = 16 October 2009 | accessdate = 16 October 2009}}</ref> A [[mistrial (law)|mistrial]] was almost declared when the defence asked for the jury to be dismissed; it was discovered that a young woman, who was a relative of one of the accused, had been coming to court and reportedly writing down descriptions of the jurors.<ref name=ABC/> However, the jurors said it would not affect their deliberations and the judge allowed the trial to continue.<ref name=ABC/> |
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===Verdict=== |
===Verdict and sentencing=== |
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The five were found guilty on |
The five were found guilty on 16 October 2009. The trial was one of Australia's longest and involved approximately 300 witnesses and 3,000 exhibits, including 18 hours of telephone intercepts and 30 days of surveillance tapes, which has overtaken the record previously held by the liquidation of [[Robert Holmes à Court|Bell Group]].<ref name=ABC>{{cite news| title=Sydney jihadists guilty of terrorism plot |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/16/2716000.htm | date = 16 October 2009| accessdate = 16 October 2009 |location=Australia |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] }}</ref><ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/6342351/Five-men-convicted-of-terror-plot-in-Australias-longest-trial.html | title=Five men convicted of terror plot in Australia's longest trial |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |first=Bonnie |last=Malkin |date=16 October 2009 |accessdate=16 October 2009 |location=London}}</ref><ref name=Reuters/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/bell-liquidators-awarded-15-billion-20090430-aoo6.html |title=Bell liquidators awarded $1.5 billion |accessdate=18 October 2009 |date=30 April 2009 |location=Melbourne |work=[[The Age]]}}</ref> Outside the court, supporters of the five men shouted in protest and anger after they watched the ruling on an outdoor screen.<ref name=Telegraph/> |
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The perpetrators were jailed on 15 February 2010 for terms ranging from 23 to 28 years, as follows:<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61E0W020100215|title=Five Australians jailed for jihad plot|accessdate=15 February 2010|date=15 February 2010|first=Michael|last=Perry | work=Reuters}}</ref><ref name=abc>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-12/sydney-terrorism-convictions-appeal-dismissed/5963474 |title=Sydney men lose appeal against 2009 terrorism convictions |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |author=Rice, Deborah |date=12 December 2014 |access-date=16 September 2017 }}</ref> |
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The men will return to the New South Wales Supreme Court on December 14, 2009 for sentencing.<ref name=Reuters/> They face a maximum sentence of life in prison.<ref name=Telegraph/> The precise target of their planned attack has never been disclosed.<ref name=Telegraph/> |
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*Khaled Cheikho{{spaced endash}} 27 years |
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*Moustafa Cheikho{{spaced endash}} 26 years |
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*Mohamed Ali Elomar{{spaced endash}} 28 years |
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*Abdul Rakib Hasan{{spaced endash}} 26 years |
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*Mohammed Omar Jamal{{spaced endash}} 23 years |
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In December 2014 before the [[New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal]], all five men lost an [[appeal (law)|appeal]] against both their conviction and their sentences.<ref name=abc/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/terrorist-conspiracy-five-sydney-cell-members-lose-conviction-sentencing-appeals-20141211-125lho.html |title=Terrorist conspiracy: five Sydney cell members lose conviction, sentencing appeals |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |author1=Olding, Rachel |author2=Hall, Louise |date=12 December 2014 |access-date=16 September 2017 }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{stack|{{portal|Australia}}}} |
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*[[Terrorism in Australia]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{AustraliaTerrorism}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sydney Terrorism Plot}} |
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[[Category:Failed terrorist attempts]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Failed terrorist attempts in Oceania]] |
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[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Oceania in 2005]] |
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[[Category:2005 in Australia|Sydney Terrorism Plot, 2005]] |
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[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Islam in Sydney]] |
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[[Category:2005 crimes in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Australia in the 2000s]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:46, 28 September 2024
The 2005 Sydney terrorism plot concerned a group of five men arrested in 2005 on charges of planning an act of terrorism targeting Sydney, Australia's most populous city and the capital of New South Wales. The group was found guilty on 16 October 2009 and were sentenced on 15 February 2010 for terms up to 28 years.[1]
Charges
[edit]Khaled Cheikho, Moustafa Cheikho, Mohamed Ali Elomar, Abdul Rakib Hasan, and Mohammed Omar Jamal were arrested in various neighbourhoods of Sydney and were tried in the New South Wales Supreme Court over a terror-related plot they planned between July 2004 and November 2005. Each pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to commit a terrorist act or acts.[2] The final cost of the trial is expected to be more than A$10 million.[3]
The Crown Prosecutor claimed that the men were motivated by a belief that Islam was under attack.[4] The five allegedly had links to Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who is under arrest in Melbourne.[4] Police searches of their homes discovered instructions on bomb-making, 28,000 rounds of ammunition (including 11,000 7.62×39mm), 12 rifles, militant Islamist literature, and footage of beheadings carried out by Islamists, and also of aircraft crashing into the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001. According to the prosecution, the men purchased explosive chemicals and guns between July 2004 and November 2005.[5][6]
Trial
[edit]The men were put on trial late in 2008. Closing arguments were heard on 28 July 2009.[7] The trial took place in a specially-built high-security court building in Sydney.[8][9] Prosecutor Richard Maidment claimed that the five men wanted "violent jihad which involved the application of extreme force and violence, including the killing of those who did not share the fundamentalist... extremist, beliefs".[10] A mistrial was almost declared when the defence asked for the jury to be dismissed; it was discovered that a young woman, who was a relative of one of the accused, had been coming to court and reportedly writing down descriptions of the jurors.[8] However, the jurors said it would not affect their deliberations and the judge allowed the trial to continue.[8]
Verdict and sentencing
[edit]The five were found guilty on 16 October 2009. The trial was one of Australia's longest and involved approximately 300 witnesses and 3,000 exhibits, including 18 hours of telephone intercepts and 30 days of surveillance tapes, which has overtaken the record previously held by the liquidation of Bell Group.[8][9][10][11] Outside the court, supporters of the five men shouted in protest and anger after they watched the ruling on an outdoor screen.[9]
The perpetrators were jailed on 15 February 2010 for terms ranging from 23 to 28 years, as follows:[12][13]
- Khaled Cheikho – 27 years
- Moustafa Cheikho – 26 years
- Mohamed Ali Elomar – 28 years
- Abdul Rakib Hasan – 26 years
- Mohammed Omar Jamal – 23 years
In December 2014 before the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, all five men lost an appeal against both their conviction and their sentences.[13][14]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Woods, Ian (15 February 2010) Terror Plot Gang Jailed In Australia Sky News. Retrieved 15 February 2010
- ^ "Terror accused 'desensitised' themselves". Nine News. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet; Bissett, Kelvin (17 May 2007). "Terror Nine's A$4.5m legal bill". The Daily Telegraph. Australia.
- ^ a b "Australian terror suspects appear in court". 'The Guardian. London. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ "Terror trial begins in Australia". USA Today. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ Neighbour, Sally (16 February 2010). "Anger, venom and hatred". The Australian. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ Brown, Malcolm (28 July 2009). "Terrorism suspect's training camp link". Brisbane Times.
- ^ a b c d "Sydney jihadists guilty of terrorism plot". ABC News. Australia. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
- ^ a b c Malkin, Bonnie (16 October 2009). "Five men convicted of terror plot in Australia's longest trial". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
- ^ a b Perry, Michael (16 October 2009). "Five men found guilty in Australia of terror plot". Reuters. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
- ^ "Bell liquidators awarded $1.5 billion". The Age. Melbourne. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Perry, Michael (15 February 2010). "Five Australians jailed for jihad plot". Reuters. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
- ^ a b Rice, Deborah (12 December 2014). "Sydney men lose appeal against 2009 terrorism convictions". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Olding, Rachel; Hall, Louise (12 December 2014). "Terrorist conspiracy: five Sydney cell members lose conviction, sentencing appeals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
People listed in italics have died. | |
| Sydney Five |
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| Held in Guantanamo Bay | |
| Alleged al-Qaeda members | |
| 2009 Holsworthy Barracks plot |
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| Others | |
1 Currently imprisoned. 2 Released after serving sentence. | |
