Terror student freedom bid fails

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A man found guilty of three terrorism offences has failed to convince a judge to free him.

Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, is trying to overturn the conviction which resulted in an eight-year jail sentence last October.

He had hoped to be released on bail pending the outcome of his appeal.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Matthews turned down the request made by lawyers on his behalf to release the former student.

A four-week trial last year heard Siddique described as a "wannabe suicide bomber" after he told fellow students at a Glasgow college that he sympathised with Al-Qaeda.

Siddique was found guilty of possessing suspicious terrorism-related items including CDs and videos of weapons use, guerrilla tactics and bomb-making.

He was also found guilty of collecting terrorist-related information, setting up websites showing how to make and use weapons and explosives, and circulating inflammatory terrorist publications.

A further charge of breach of the peace related to claims that he showed students at the city's Metropolitan College images of suicide bombers and terrorist beheadings.

Siddique has always claimed he is only a curious young man who found material on web sites which could be accessed by anyone.

His solicitor, Amaer Anwar, is currently challenging an allegation of contempt of court as a result of a statement he made following Siddique's conviction.

The statement claimed the verdict was a tragedy for Scottish justice and free speech.