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Terror suspect video 'a mistake' Terror suspect video 'a mistake'
(about 1 hour later)
An aircraft suicide bomb plot suspect has told jurors that a video threatening martyrdom that he helped to make had been a "silly" mistake.An aircraft suicide bomb plot suspect has told jurors that a video threatening martyrdom that he helped to make had been a "silly" mistake.
Waheed Zaman, 24, of Walthamstow, east London, admitted recording a video threatening violence against the West.Waheed Zaman, 24, of Walthamstow, east London, admitted recording a video threatening violence against the West.
But he told Woolwich Crown Court it was part of a film intended to publicise injustices against Muslims worldwide.But he told Woolwich Crown Court it was part of a film intended to publicise injustices against Muslims worldwide.
Mr Zaman and seven other men on trial all deny plotting to blow up trans-Atlantic passenger jets.Mr Zaman and seven other men on trial all deny plotting to blow up trans-Atlantic passenger jets.
Mr Zaman claimed he was ignorant of wider plans to explode improvised bombs constructed from hydrogen peroxide and soft drink bottles.Mr Zaman claimed he was ignorant of wider plans to explode improvised bombs constructed from hydrogen peroxide and soft drink bottles.
'Gross barbarism''Gross barbarism'
Asked by his barrister if he had any involvement in the act of "gross barbarism" of planning to explode bombs on passenger jets, Mr Zaman replied: "That is absolutely untrue."Asked by his barrister if he had any involvement in the act of "gross barbarism" of planning to explode bombs on passenger jets, Mr Zaman replied: "That is absolutely untrue."
Speaking about his video, the former student Islamic Society president said: "It was a mistake. It was something silly, I realised that now. At the time I saw it somewhat differently.Speaking about his video, the former student Islamic Society president said: "It was a mistake. It was something silly, I realised that now. At the time I saw it somewhat differently.
"I made a mistake but I don't think I should be punished for something I was not going to do.""I made a mistake but I don't think I should be punished for something I was not going to do."
Mr Zaman said he was asked to record a fake martyrdom video by 27-year-old Abdulla Ahmed Ali after the men met at an east London mosque.Mr Zaman said he was asked to record a fake martyrdom video by 27-year-old Abdulla Ahmed Ali after the men met at an east London mosque.
He said it would be used as part of an internet documentary using footage from Iraq and Afghanistan to highlight British foreign policy.He said it would be used as part of an internet documentary using footage from Iraq and Afghanistan to highlight British foreign policy.
Asked if he was planning to be a terrorist, he said: "At no stage did I ever even consider that. That is not what I was told. It was for other reasons I did it.Asked if he was planning to be a terrorist, he said: "At no stage did I ever even consider that. That is not what I was told. It was for other reasons I did it.
"I was not told about any publicity stunt or anything like that or anything to do with chemicals."I was not told about any publicity stunt or anything like that or anything to do with chemicals.
"It was never my intention to be involved in any kind of martyrdom operation or anything to do with planes.""It was never my intention to be involved in any kind of martyrdom operation or anything to do with planes."
Small bombsSmall bombs
The court has already heard that Mr Ali had admitted planning to explode small bombs at the Houses of Parliament and in airport terminal buildings to publicise the documentary.The court has already heard that Mr Ali had admitted planning to explode small bombs at the Houses of Parliament and in airport terminal buildings to publicise the documentary.
Mr Zaman described how he was first approached by Mr Ali outside his home in late July 2006 and asked to record the video. He said he had strong political feelings and Ali chose him because he was a confident public speaker.Mr Zaman described how he was first approached by Mr Ali outside his home in late July 2006 and asked to record the video. He said he had strong political feelings and Ali chose him because he was a confident public speaker.
Mr Zaman said the two men felt traditional types of protest such as petitions, letters and marches were being ignored by the authorities.Mr Zaman said the two men felt traditional types of protest such as petitions, letters and marches were being ignored by the authorities.
Ali told him he wanted to "add a twist" to his video documentary by including an extremist "ranting and raving" to the camera.Ali told him he wanted to "add a twist" to his video documentary by including an extremist "ranting and raving" to the camera.
All eight men deny conspiring to murder othersAll eight men deny conspiring to murder others
The court heard how Mr Zaman met Mr Ali at a flat in Forest Road, Walthamstow, to record the video.The court heard how Mr Zaman met Mr Ali at a flat in Forest Road, Walthamstow, to record the video.
While inside the flat, which prosecutors claim was used by the gang as a bomb factory, Mr Zaman was told not to touch anything.While inside the flat, which prosecutors claim was used by the gang as a bomb factory, Mr Zaman was told not to touch anything.
He told the court: "I said that the place looks like it is falling apart anyway."He told the court: "I said that the place looks like it is falling apart anyway."
Mr Zaman then described how he recorded the video as directed by Mr Ali who encouraged him to be aggressive and to jab his finger at the camera.Mr Zaman then described how he recorded the video as directed by Mr Ali who encouraged him to be aggressive and to jab his finger at the camera.
His barrister James Wood QC asked him how it felt to pretend to be a violent Jihadist.His barrister James Wood QC asked him how it felt to pretend to be a violent Jihadist.
StutteringStuttering
He replied: "Obviously it is an uncomfortable experience saying what I did. It is something that has not been done before.He replied: "Obviously it is an uncomfortable experience saying what I did. It is something that has not been done before.
"It is naturally uncomfortable, that is why at the start I was stuttering a lot and making mistakes.""It is naturally uncomfortable, that is why at the start I was stuttering a lot and making mistakes."
The court heard how Mr Ali spoke to another alleged member of the terrorist gang during the filming session to arrange for him to also record a video.The court heard how Mr Ali spoke to another alleged member of the terrorist gang during the filming session to arrange for him to also record a video.
But Mr Zaman said he was not aware of what Mr Ali was doing.But Mr Zaman said he was not aware of what Mr Ali was doing.
All eight defendants deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to endanger aircraft.All eight defendants deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to endanger aircraft.