Terror suspects to face trial

10:55am Monday 29th January 2007

A TERROR suspect from Lewisham was among eight men who appeared in court on Friday.

The suspects, who were arrested last year after a series of anti-terror raids across the south east, are expected to stand trial later this year.

They are charged on a 32-count indictment which includes charges of soliciting murder, providing training for terrorists and possessing terror documents between March and June last year.

Atilla Ahmet, aged 42, from Lewisham, is charged with five counts of soliciting murder, two counts of encouraging terrorism, and one of possessing a terror document.

He appeared alongside eight others at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh Prison.

They spoke only to answer their names.

Yassin Mutegombwa, 22, of Upper Norwood, is charged with three counts of attendance at a place used for terrorist training.

Mohamed Hamid, 48, of Clapton, east London, is charged with six counts of providing training for terrorism, six counts of soliciting murder, three counts of encouraging terrorism, and one of possessing a terror document.

Mousa Brown, 40, of Walthamstow, is charged with providing and receiving instruction or training in the making and use of firearms.

Mustafa Abdullah, 24, of Stockwell, is charged with one count of possessing information likely to be useful to a terrorist and a further count of encouraging terrorism.

Kibley Da Costa, also 24, of West Norwood, is accused of teaching military skills and receiving terrorist training.

Muhammad Al-Figari, 42, of Tottenham, Kadar Ahmed, 19, of Plaistow, east London, and an unnamed 17-year old youth, of Camberwell, are variously charged with receiving terrorism training and possessing a terror document.

The judge Mr Justice Calvert-Smith remanded the men in custody as before and fixed their trial for October 8.

The trial, at a court yet to be chosen, is not expected to conclude until early next year.

They are due to appear next on March 3.

Hassan Mutegombwa, 20, of Upper Norwood, south London, also appeared in a separate hearing under terrorism legislation.

He will be tried on September 24 charged with procuring funds for terrorism contrary to section 15 of the Terrorism Act 2000.