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Terror accused 'denies Manchester Arena attack was real' Terror accused 'denies Manchester Arena attack was real'
(about 4 hours later)
An Islamic State supporter accused of plotting a drone strike on the British Army does not believe the Manchester Arena terror attack was real, a court has heard.An Islamic State supporter accused of plotting a drone strike on the British Army does not believe the Manchester Arena terror attack was real, a court has heard.
Hisham Muhammad, 25, allegedly hoarded an arsenal of weapons for a "lone wolf" attack, the Old Bailey was told.Hisham Muhammad, 25, allegedly hoarded an arsenal of weapons for a "lone wolf" attack, the Old Bailey was told.
The weapons, including a tomahawk, a machete and bear claws, were discovered at his rented terrace in Bury.The weapons, including a tomahawk, a machete and bear claws, were discovered at his rented terrace in Bury.
Mr Muhammad denies engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.Mr Muhammad denies engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.
The 25-year-old, of Victoria Avenue, Whitefield, told the court he had become interested in "researching" so-called Islamic State after the Manchester Arena attack.The 25-year-old, of Victoria Avenue, Whitefield, told the court he had become interested in "researching" so-called Islamic State after the Manchester Arena attack.
"I wanted to find out the truth of what actually happened. I didn't believe it had happened and people were saying yes it did," said the father-of-two. "I wanted to find out the truth of what actually happened. I didn't believe it had happened and people were saying, yes it did," said the father-of-two.
Researching arena attack Bogus escort agency
He said he watched "two different videos of what was happening and each person was saying something different".He said he watched "two different videos of what was happening and each person was saying something different".
"I thought it was the Government trying to take away people's rights," he said."I thought it was the Government trying to take away people's rights," he said.
When asked who he believed they were trying to target, he told the court: "Mainly Muslims."When asked who he believed they were trying to target, he told the court: "Mainly Muslims."
Mr Muhammad also claimed so-called Islamic State was "created by the American Government to take away the rights of Muslims", and that technology could be used to make "anything look real".Mr Muhammad also claimed so-called Islamic State was "created by the American Government to take away the rights of Muslims", and that technology could be used to make "anything look real".
He also told jurors he liked to listen to Islamic music, and looked at a video entitled My Revenge "out of curiosity". He also told jurors he liked to listen to Islamic music and had looked at a video entitled My Revenge "out of curiosity".
When questioned on his views on radical Islam, he added: "It's basically barbaric. I don't think it's right. Radical in terms of Islamic State, I don't agree with it, killing of innocent people."When questioned on his views on radical Islam, he added: "It's basically barbaric. I don't think it's right. Radical in terms of Islamic State, I don't agree with it, killing of innocent people."
Mr Muhammad told jurors that when he was not working at a chicken shop, he liked to "challenge" himself by designing things like a "coconut hammer".Mr Muhammad told jurors that when he was not working at a chicken shop, he liked to "challenge" himself by designing things like a "coconut hammer".
He denied he was planning to use any of the items at his home for terrorism but the Bermudan national admitted making £8,000 from a bogus online escort agency scam.He denied he was planning to use any of the items at his home for terrorism but the Bermudan national admitted making £8,000 from a bogus online escort agency scam.
He said most of the money was sent overseas to his family.He said most of the money was sent overseas to his family.
Mr Muhammad also told the jury he visited Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury. The court heard he didn't have any intention of joining the Army and provided an old address and false name but the correct mobile number.
He denied that he was trying to find our more information about the soldiers when he visited the barracks later that day.
Mr Muhammad also admitted trying to visit a shooting range in Ramsbottom a few days later but he was unable to make the journey due to a lack of buses.
His cousin Faisal Abu Ahmad, 24, of the same address, has pleaded not guilty to failing to alert authorities of the alleged attack plan.His cousin Faisal Abu Ahmad, 24, of the same address, has pleaded not guilty to failing to alert authorities of the alleged attack plan.