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November 24, 2007

Denmark: Islamists Jailed For Bomb Plot

We reported earlier that nine men had been arrested in Odense, Denmark, on the night of September 4-5, 2006.

The men had all been apprehended in raids made in the suburb of Vollsmose. At the time, Lene Espersen, Denmark's Justice Minister, stated: "The clues police found indicate that they were very likely planning an attack somewhere in Denmark. It was the most serious matter I have had in my time as justice minister. Police went in and stopped the group as it was preparing an attack."

Lars Findsen, the director of the Police Intelligence Service (PET) said that the men "had acquired material... to build explosives in connection with the preparation of a terror act.... With the general terror situation, the Danish Security Intelligence Service didn't want to run any unnecessary risk."

Now, according to Jyllands-Posten, All Headline News, Associated Press, Agence France Presse and the Daily Times, two men were jailed yesterday at the conclusion of their trial.

Four men had been on trial since September 5, 2007. The eldest, 34-year old Mohammad Zaher, was given an 11-year jail sentence, as was 22-year old Ahmad Khaldhadi. 32-year old Abdallah Andersen, a Danish convert to Islam, was given a four-year jail term. The fourth man, 19-year old Riad Anwer Daabas, was acquitted.

At Zaher's home, a bomb-making manual had been recovered by police, along with two ounces of triacetone triperoxide (TATP), the same explosive which was used by four suicide bombers to kill 52 people on London Transport on 7/7 (July 7, 2005). TATP was also the substance used by Richard Reid in his failed attempt to blow up a Miami-bound plane in . About eight ounces of TATP had been concealed within Reid's shoe.

The men had been under surveillance before their arrests. They had been heard in wiretap messages played to the court discussing their possible bombing targets. These included the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, City Hall Square in Copenhagen, and the Tivoli amusement park in Copenhagen.

Adrian Morgan
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Below is the translation from the Jyllands-Posten account of the case, by our long-term contributor and friend, WIKING:

11 and 4 years in prison and expulsion forever.

These were the sentences in the Danish terror case.

Two men, Ahmad Khaldhahi and Mohammad Zaher were both sentenced to 11 years in prison for having planned terror strikes in Denmark. A third man, the Danish convert Abdallah Andersen was sentenced to 4 years.

Ahmad Khaldhahi was expelled forever back to his native Iraq. His defense attorney, Bjørn Elmquist says he will appeal the sentence to the supreme court.

The prosecution described the 34 year old Mohammad Zaher as the leader and the brain behind the plot to explode several bombs, while the 22 year old  Ahmad Khaldhahi was described as the tactician and the person who did the practical work. The prosecutor had asked for 14 years for both of them, but the court landed at 11 years in prison.

The subordinate, the 32 year old Danish convert  Abdallah Andersen participated willingly and unquestioning in the preparations according to the prosecutor. He asked for 10 to 12 years, but the court decided on 4 years, based on the subordinate position he did hold in the group.

One man was acquitted of the charges against him...

...Before the jury and the judges receded to decide the sentences, the accused were allowed the last word.
"I do understand the fear the Danes feel, but I would never commit any act of terror. You certainly don't think I am a good human being, but you don't know me" said Mohammad Zaher, who has a Syrian background.

He had just become a father when he was arrested by the PET in September.

Abdallah Andersen did not want to make a comment. He sat with wet eyes and an empty stare.

The 22 year old  Mohammad Khaldhahi from Iraq, implored the court not to expel him.

"I'll accept a sentence for the things I have done. I only hope I will not receive double punishment" was his vain plea. The court decided to expel him forever.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 24, 2007 7:01 AM

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