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'Astonishment' at terror verdicts 'Astonishment' at terror verdicts
(10 minutes later)
Counter-terrorism officials were "dismayed" by the verdicts in the trial linking eight men to a transatlantic bomb plot, the BBC has learnt.Counter-terrorism officials were "dismayed" by the verdicts in the trial linking eight men to a transatlantic bomb plot, the BBC has learnt.
Three men were convicted of conspiracy to murder but the jury did not convict any defendant of targeting aircraft. One man was cleared of all charges.Three men were convicted of conspiracy to murder but the jury did not convict any defendant of targeting aircraft. One man was cleared of all charges.
The BBC's Frank Gardner said there had been "astonishment" in Whitehall as the evidence was considered to be strong.The BBC's Frank Gardner said there had been "astonishment" in Whitehall as the evidence was considered to be strong.
Prosecutors have until the end of the month to consider a retrial of the men.Prosecutors have until the end of the month to consider a retrial of the men.
Abdulla Ahmed Ali, Assad Sarwar and Tanvir Hussain were convicted of conspiracy to murder but a jury was unable to reach verdicts on the other charge.Abdulla Ahmed Ali, Assad Sarwar and Tanvir Hussain were convicted of conspiracy to murder but a jury was unable to reach verdicts on the other charge.
The court was also unable to reach any verdicts on four other men.The court was also unable to reach any verdicts on four other men.
The men had been accused of plotting to bring down transatlantic airliners with home-made liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks.The men had been accused of plotting to bring down transatlantic airliners with home-made liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks.
Sweeping airport restrictions on liquids in hand luggage were brought in following the arrests in August 2006.Sweeping airport restrictions on liquids in hand luggage were brought in following the arrests in August 2006.
'Strong evidence''Strong evidence'
Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, said counter-terrorism officials had thought it was an open-and-shut case, with the strongest evidence yet in a British terror trial.Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, said counter-terrorism officials had thought it was an open-and-shut case, with the strongest evidence yet in a British terror trial.
Police and prosecutors expected the jury to accept the alleged links between the accused, al-Qaeda and a fleet of transatlantic airliners, he said.Police and prosecutors expected the jury to accept the alleged links between the accused, al-Qaeda and a fleet of transatlantic airliners, he said.
But as these links did not stand up, the recriminations were beginning, he added. VERDICTS Conspiracy to murder: Abdulla Ahmed AliAssad SarwarTanvir Hussain One man not guiltyNo verdicts on four others class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7605011.stm">Verdicts explained But as these links did not stand up, the recriminations were beginning, he added.
VERDICTS Conspiracy to murder: Abdulla Ahmed AliAssad SarwarTanvir Hussain One man not guiltyNo verdicts on four others Verdicts explained
An official close to the investigation when the men were arrested has told the BBC the US government was partly to blame.An official close to the investigation when the men were arrested has told the BBC the US government was partly to blame.
The official said it had pressed Pakistan into making arrests before all the legal evidence had been gathered.The official said it had pressed Pakistan into making arrests before all the legal evidence had been gathered.
'Airport chaos''Airport chaos'
Seven men admitted plotting to cause a public nuisance. An eighth man was cleared at Woolwich Crown Court.Seven men admitted plotting to cause a public nuisance. An eighth man was cleared at Woolwich Crown Court.
But after more than 50 hours of deliberations, the jury did not find any of the defendants guilty of conspiring to target aircraft.But after more than 50 hours of deliberations, the jury did not find any of the defendants guilty of conspiring to target aircraft.
The jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges relating to the alleged plot to blow up aircraft in respect of Ali, Sarwar and Hussein.The jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges relating to the alleged plot to blow up aircraft in respect of Ali, Sarwar and Hussein.
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And jurors were unable to reach verdicts on those charges or conspiracy to murder charges against Ibrahim Savant, 27, of Stoke Newington, Umar Islam, 30, of Plaistow, and Waheed Zaman, 24, and Arafat Waheed Khan, 27, both of Walthamstow, all London.And jurors were unable to reach verdicts on those charges or conspiracy to murder charges against Ibrahim Savant, 27, of Stoke Newington, Umar Islam, 30, of Plaistow, and Waheed Zaman, 24, and Arafat Waheed Khan, 27, both of Walthamstow, all London.
Mohammad Gulzar, 27, of Barking, east London, was found not guilty on both counts.Mohammad Gulzar, 27, of Barking, east London, was found not guilty on both counts.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the police and security services had saved "countless" lives by disrupting the group.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the police and security services had saved "countless" lives by disrupting the group.
The court heard prosecutors allege that the eight men were planning to carry liquid explosives on to planes at Heathrow, knowing the devices would evade airport security checks.The court heard prosecutors allege that the eight men were planning to carry liquid explosives on to planes at Heathrow, knowing the devices would evade airport security checks.
Police said the plot had been inspired by al-Qaeda in Pakistan - and the August 2006 arrests caused chaos at airports throughout the country.Police said the plot had been inspired by al-Qaeda in Pakistan - and the August 2006 arrests caused chaos at airports throughout the country.
Jacqui Smith welcomes the verdict
But in their defence, the seven men, who had recorded videos denouncing Western foreign policy, said they had only planned to cause a political spectacle and not to kill anyone.But in their defence, the seven men, who had recorded videos denouncing Western foreign policy, said they had only planned to cause a political spectacle and not to kill anyone.
Ali, the ringleader, of Walthamstow, east London, created home-made liquid explosives in a flat which prosecutors said were designed to evade airport security.Ali, the ringleader, of Walthamstow, east London, created home-made liquid explosives in a flat which prosecutors said were designed to evade airport security.
Jacqui Smith welcomes the verdict
He and five of the others - Mr Savant, Mr Islam, Mr Zaman, Hussain and Mr Khan - had recorded what the prosecution alleged were "martyrdom videos" denouncing the West and urging Muslims to fight.He and five of the others - Mr Savant, Mr Islam, Mr Zaman, Hussain and Mr Khan - had recorded what the prosecution alleged were "martyrdom videos" denouncing the West and urging Muslims to fight.
Prosecutors said the bombers would then have completed and detonated the devices during their flights once all the targeted planes had taken off.Prosecutors said the bombers would then have completed and detonated the devices during their flights once all the targeted planes had taken off.
The plot came to light after the largest ever surveillance operation involving officers from both MI5, the Metropolitan Police and other forces around the country.The plot came to light after the largest ever surveillance operation involving officers from both MI5, the Metropolitan Police and other forces around the country.
Ali, Sarwar and Hussain, along with Mr Savant, Mr Islam, Mr Khan, and Mr Zaman, also admitted conspiring to cause a public nuisance by making videos threatening bombings.Ali, Sarwar and Hussain, along with Mr Savant, Mr Islam, Mr Khan, and Mr Zaman, also admitted conspiring to cause a public nuisance by making videos threatening bombings.