Win a £1500 Raymond Weil watch
A British Muslim made a promotional video with the ringleader of the July 7 attacks when they attended a jihad training camp with terrorists linked to al-Qaeda, a court was told yesterday.
Mohammed Shakil, 32, joined the camp in Pakistan with Mohammed Siddique Khan, who blew himself up on a Tube train at Edgware Road station, it is alleged.
Both men fired weapons and starred in a video recorded at the camp to raise money in Britain for jihad, the jury at Kingston Crown Court was told. Two years later Khan led the four suicide bombers who killed 52 innocent people in London.
Mohammed Junaid Babar, a convicted supporter of al-Qaeda, told the retrial of three men accused of aiding the 7/7 bombers that he persuaded Khan and Mr Shakil to attend the camp after they arrived in Pakistan in July 2003 on a “fact finding” mission.
“They told me while they were in the UK they were hearing conflicting reports whether they were allowing foreign fighters through Pakistan into Afghanistan,” said Babar. “There was a person named Q in the UK and he sent them over.”
The court was told that Mr Shakil used the name Zubair and Khan called himself Ibrahim while they were in Pakistan.
“They wanted to come and fight in Afghanistan against the Americans, Nato and anybody allied with them,” said Babar. “They were going to come there and their families and they wanted to know how much it would cost for their families to live in Afghanistan.”
The men spent several days at the training camp on the top of a mountain close to the border with Afghanistan where they received physical exercise training and listened to religious talks on the virtues of jihad, said Babar.
On the final day Mr Shakil fired an AK47, a light machine gun and a rocket propelled grenade, the court was told.
Babar said that Mr Shakil seemed “comfortable” while handling the weapons and “hit the target” while firing the grenade across to another mountain.
“They told us they had been to training camps before 9/11,” said Babar. “I recall a separate conversation with Ibrahim that he had physically gone to fight in Afghanistan before 9/11.” During the camp a number of people filmed a video of the event, said Babar.
“Ibrahim and Zubair featured in the video, their faces were covered,” he sad. “Some of the people who attended the training camp wanted to take it back to the UK and also to raise money for jihad.” The court was told that a number of other British men, including a “committed terrorist” named Ausman, had also attended the training camp.
Babar told the court that he, Ausman and others had caused a large explosion. Khan and Mr Shakil did not take part in the explosion but it occurred within hearing distance of the camp, he said.
Babar, who has pleaded guilty in the United States of providing support and resources for al-Qaeda, told the court that he has given evidence in a number of trials as part of a deal to reduce his eventual jail sentence. He has also been granted immunity from prosecution for two conspiracies to murder the president of Pakistan.
Joel Bennathan, QC, defending Mr Shakil, told the court that his client had not said he was intending to fight in Afghanistan and had not heard an explosion at the camp.
Under cross-examination Babar admitted telling some lies to the authorities following his arrest but insisted he was now telling the truth.
The court has been told that two other alleged conspirators, Waheed Ali, 25, Sadeer Saleem, 28, had also made separate visit Pakistan at the same time as Khan.
All three defendant, who come from Beeston, Leeds, deny conspiring with the 7/7 bombers to cause an explosion by going on an alleged “reconnaissance mission” to London in December 2004. Mr Ali and Mr Shakil also deny conspiracy to attend a training camp in March 2007.
The trial continues.
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train
In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
1998
£47,955
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
Check your free Experian credit report before applying
Car Insurance
£100,000
Barnardos
UK
PwC’s Consulting practice helps businesses of all shapes and sizes work smarter and grow faster
PwC
£37,000
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Currently £36,285
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth
Find out about shared ownership.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
Includes flights, accommodation with room upgrades, transfers city tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok.
PremierHolidays.co.uk
For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Your Comments
Order By: