BRITAIN:Five men were jailed for life yesterday after being convicted of plotting a series of fertiliser-based bombings aimed at civilian targets across Britain.
The five, British Muslims and mostly of Pakistani descent, discussed targeting a shopping centre, a London nightclub and the gas pipeline network.
Police moved in to break up the cell in 2004 after extensive surveillance revealed links between the men and foreign militant groups, including al-Qaeda.
The year-long trial, one of Britain's largest terrorism cases, hinged on the testimony of the plotters' co-conspirator, a US Muslim who spent time at jihadi training camps in Pakistan before turning supergrass.
He told the Old Bailey that the cell planned to use 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser to produce bombs capable of killing hundreds of people. The Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London were discussed as possible targets.
It emerged during the trial that the five, all of whom spent time in militant training camps in Pakistan, volunteered to fight in Afghanistan but were informed they would be of more use to al-Qaeda in Britain.
The plot ringleader Omar Khyam (25) from Crawley, West Sussex, was found guilty of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life, possessing 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser for terrorist purposes, and possessing aluminium powder for terrorism.
Four other men were also found guilty on the first charge: Waheed Mahmood (35), and Jawad Akbar (23) also from Crawley; Anthony Garcia (25) from Barkingside, east London; and Salahuddin Amin (32) from Luton, Bedfordshire.
The judge, Michael Astill, told Khyam that he would serve a minimum of 20 years in jail. He warned all five they may spend the rest of their lives in prison. "You have betrayed this country that has given you every opportunity," Sir Michael said.
Condemning what he called the "preachers of hate who contaminate impressionable young minds", the judge described Khyam, who bragged about links to al-Qaeda, as "ruthless, devious, artful and dangerous".
As soon as the verdicts were returned, it emerged that intelligence officers watching Khyam had seen him meet two of the July 7th London bombers on a number of occasions.
Jonathan Evans, director general of MI5, denied the agency had been complacent, saying it would "never have the capacity to investigate everyone who appears on the periphery of every operation".