A reconnaissance video shot by Dhiren Barot in New York in April 2001 contained “a macabre prophecy” of the atrocities that would occur five months later on 9/11, Woolwich Crown Court was told.

The key piece of evidence was found hidden on a videotape of the Bruce Willis film Die Hard: With A Vengeance — about a series of explosions in New York. Added to the end of the film was 80 minutes of footage recorded by the terrorist planner and two accomplices.

Barot had enrolled to study communications skills at Mohawk Valley College, New York, and although he never attended classes he was free to travel in and out of the United States. He is known to have made trips in 2000 and 2001.

Posing as tourists, he and two accomplices walked the streets of the city’s financial district and filmed side entrances, security guards and cameras outside the New York Stock Exchange and other buildings.

The video also contained footage of the World Trade Centre. Whoever was holding the camcorder turned it on its side as he filmed the Twin Towers, then mimicked the sound of an explosion.

Edmund Lawson, QC, said that there was no evidence that Barot had any prior knowledge of the attacks being planned by his al-Qaeda associates.

He added: “It does, however, demonstrate an unhealthy and violent interest in attacks on iconic buildings such as the World Trade Centre and is notable for its macabre prophecy. The World Trade Centre had been attacked before and, five months later, it was attacked again.”

Mr Lawson continued: “The footage is of various buildings in Broad Street, Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, with focus on the entrances, security cameras, barriers, side streets. There is also footage of Jewish buildings and a synagogue.” The video was found in a cardboard box in a garage in West London that appeared to be full of junk.

Another version was found edited after the 9/11 attacks. A line of scrolling text had been added to the footage indicating that it had been filmed on a weekend and did not reflect how busy the area would be on a “midweek working day”. The caption added: “Since the collapse of the WTC security had been greatly increased.”

The detailed plans for Barot’s American operation were discovered in encrypted files on a DVD found in a Sainsbury’s carrier bag in the same garage. The password to unlock the file — MandiLoves/03ArmyofMadinah — was found in documents uncovered during an anti-terrorist raid in a house in Gujarat, Pakistan. When used to open the DVD, it revealed four detailed documents for attacks in Washington DC, New York and Newark, New Jersey.

The files were entitled “Holiday Pictures”, “Holiday Videos” and “Presentation”.

The proposed attack on the Prudential building in Newark was created on September 2, 2001, and had been revised on 21 occasions, most recently in February 2003. The 37-page document, prepared like a business plan, ended with a recommended mode of attack.

Barot wrote: “The most obvious technique to utilise that comes to mind — if you do not mind history repeating itself, would be a limousine in the VIP underground car park . . . with all except the front seats removed in order to facilitate maximum space.” Barot also discussed a suicide attack carried out by ramming a truck filled with explosives into the building. He said that in preparing his research he had left “no stone unturned”.

His report on the Citigroup building in New York revealed that an operative had been inside and checked the premises for security weaknesses. Written in July 2001, it was amended as late as February 2003. In one amendment Barot added: “Like the World Trade Center was, it is supported not a steel frame but on steel load-bearing walls.” There was also reference to smoke detection and fire sprinkler systems.

He recommends attacking the building with hijacked oil tankers.

The DVD contained similarly detailed reports proposing attacks on the New York Stock Exchange and the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund in Washington. Further documents outlined a scheme to attack the World Bank’s head office. The reports were signed off: “Agent EaB.”

Mr Lawson said that the plans had been prepared for the al-Qaeda leadership. He added: “The US bombings were planned initially in 2000 and 2001 and before 9/11. It seems likely that they were shelved by reason of what the terrorists would have regarded as their “success” in 9/11. They were not, however, forgotten.

“The plans were accessed and/or worked on as late as February 2003. It is also plain that they were used and refined in conceiving the United Kingdom murder plans.”

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