Muslim preacher 'made rape claim'

BBC ^ | 5 February 2008 | Staff

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A Muslim preacher told worshippers in London that American and British soldiers would rape and murder Iraqi women and children, a court has heard. Abu Izzadeen and seven other men deny charges of terrorist fundraising at Regents Park mosque in November 2004.

Kingston Crown Court heard that Mr Izzadeen, 32, had been speaking on the night after US forces began their attack on the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

Mr Izzadeen also denies a charge of inciting terrorism overseas.

The court was told that Mr Izzadeen, who in 2006 interrupted a speech by the then Home Secretary John Reid, had sat cross-legged on the floor of the Regent's Park mosque in central London and addressed an audience of predominantly young men.

He said: "So, my dear Muslim brothers, the situation in Fallujah is nothing to be sad, my dear Muslim brothers. Allah gave mujahideen chance to kill the American.

"Should be happy, my dear Muslim brothers and you be like those... who wish to go and join them who wish Allah to give them the opportunity to take some blood of those kafir (unbelievers)."

Campaign

Eight face terror charges

Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw QC has told the jury Mr Izzadeen claims that: "Because he interrupted a speech made by the home secretary he has been the subject of a campaign designed to bring about his arrest."

A DVD of the men's speeches was discovered by police in 2006 following a raid on the former flat of self-styled radical cleric Omar Bakri.

Bakri, who left Britain for Lebanon in 2004, was the former leader of the extremist group Al-Muhajiroun, and Kingston Crown Court heard that all eight men had been members of the now-disbanded group.

The recording shows Mr Izzadeen - who is being tried under the name Omar Brooks - struggling to make himself heard over the music and prayers being broadcast over the public address system.

Mr Laidlaw said: "In Iraq, Brooks told the audience, the Americans would rape and kill women and children and they would be assisted by soldiers from the Black Watch regiment."

He also told the jury that the mosque leaders had called the police but they were effectively forced off the premises.

Recordings

The court also heard clips from speeches made by the other defendants.

The jury was also told about another recording of a speech made by Mr Izzadeen shortly before the first anniversary of the 7/7 London bomb attacks.

Talking about the bombers, he said: "These people have made a clear statement; if you stop, you'll be saved. If you don't stop, we're going to kill you indiscriminately."

The men facing charges of fundraising with Mr Izzadeen are: Jalal Hussain, 25, of Whitechapel, east London; Omar Zaheer, 28, of Southall, west London; Simon Keeler, 36, of Whitechapel, east London; Ibrahim Abdullah Hassan, 25, of Leyton, east London; Rajib Khan, 29, of Luton, Bedfordshire; Abdul Muhid, 25, of Whitechapel; and Abdul Saleem, 32, of Poplar, east London.

Mr Izzadeen, Mr Keeler, Mr Hassan, Mr Khan and Mr Saleem are also charged with inciting terrorism overseas.

Mr Izzadeen faces a further charge of encouraging terrorism.

Mr Hassan is further charged with having a document - entitled "How can I train myself for jihad?" - for terrorist purposes.

The trial continues.

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[PubliusMM]

How about this...strap ‘em to Predator drones and just fly them out to sea until the fuel runs out...

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How come no one dropped that instigator and terrorist enabler? Oh, that’s right: The British people have been completely disarmed by their own government. Thus, they must accept the consequences, which are no less than the loss of their country to the mohammedans and their ultimate enslavement.