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Plot suspect refuses stand again Plot suspect refuses stand again
(10 minutes later)
A suspect in the trial of seven men accused of plotting to bomb UK targets has again refused to give evidence.A suspect in the trial of seven men accused of plotting to bomb UK targets has again refused to give evidence.
The Old Bailey jury has been sent home for a second day after Omar Khyam, 24, of Crawley, West Sussex, again refused to take the witness stand.The Old Bailey jury has been sent home for a second day after Omar Khyam, 24, of Crawley, West Sussex, again refused to take the witness stand.
Mr Khyam, who denies the charges, said on Monday he feared for the safety of his family in Pakistan after they were contacted by security services there.Mr Khyam, who denies the charges, said on Monday he feared for the safety of his family in Pakistan after they were contacted by security services there.
The judge told Mr Khyam the jury could "draw inferences" from his refusal.The judge told Mr Khyam the jury could "draw inferences" from his refusal.
He and six other Britons deny conspiring with a Canadian to cause explosions. The trial was adjourned until Wednesday. During a five-minute hearing on Tuesday, Sir Michael Astill addressed Mr Khyam, who stood between a male and a female dock officer.
Mr Khyam was the first of the seven Britons to give evidence at the Old Bailey. I can simply confirm he has been advised of the possible consequences Joel Bennathan, counsel for Omar Khyam
He said: "Mr Khyam, you are in the witness box giving evidence at the present time. Would you like to leave the dock and resume, please?"
Khyam replied: "No."
The judge asked: "Is that your final decision?"
Khyam replied: "Yes."
The judge reminded Mr Khyam of a legal warning given to him on Monday that the jury could draw inferences from his refusal.
His counsel, Joel Bennathan, told the judge: "I can simply confirm he has been advised of the possible consequences.
"I have done my humble best to explain the legal position."
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.
Family 'priority'Family 'priority'
Mr Khyam and six other Britons deny conspiring with a Canadian to cause explosions. He was the first of the seven Britons to give evidence at the Old Bailey.
He had entered the witness box last week and spent two days talking about his time in Pakistan, where he received military training, and then "working for the cause" to free Islamic lands.He had entered the witness box last week and spent two days talking about his time in Pakistan, where he received military training, and then "working for the cause" to free Islamic lands.
After speaking on Friday about raising money for Afghanistan using fraud, he had been due to talk about fertiliser linked to the alleged plot on Monday morning.After speaking on Friday about raising money for Afghanistan using fraud, he had been due to talk about fertiliser linked to the alleged plot on Monday morning.
But after being asked by his counsel, Joel Bennathan, whether he had bought the fertiliser with the help of others, Mr Khyam said he would not continue.But after being asked by his counsel, Joel Bennathan, whether he had bought the fertiliser with the help of others, Mr Khyam said he would not continue.
"Before we go on to that topic, I just want to say the ISI [Pakistani secret services] in Pakistan has had words with my family relating to what I have been saying about them," he told the court."Before we go on to that topic, I just want to say the ISI [Pakistani secret services] in Pakistan has had words with my family relating to what I have been saying about them," he told the court.
"I think they are worried I might reveal more about them, so right now, as much as I want to clarify matters, the priority for me has to be the safety of my family so I am going to stop."I think they are worried I might reveal more about them, so right now, as much as I want to clarify matters, the priority for me has to be the safety of my family so I am going to stop.
"I am not going to discuss anything related to the ISI any more or the evidence.""I am not going to discuss anything related to the ISI any more or the evidence."
Charges deniedCharges denied
The seven defendants were arrested in March 2004 when 600kg of fertiliser was found stored in a west London depot.The seven defendants were arrested in March 2004 when 600kg of fertiliser was found stored in a west London depot.
It is alleged they discussed bombing targets including pubs and nightclubs.It is alleged they discussed bombing targets including pubs and nightclubs.
It is alleged the men plotted between 1 January 2001 and 31 March 2004 to set off a series of bombs.It is alleged the men plotted between 1 January 2001 and 31 March 2004 to set off a series of bombs.
Mr Khyam, his younger brother Shujah-Ud-Din Mahmood, 18, and Waheed Mahmood, 33, from Crawley, are accused of conspiring to cause an explosion likely to endanger life contrary to section 3 (1)(a) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.Mr Khyam, his younger brother Shujah-Ud-Din Mahmood, 18, and Waheed Mahmood, 33, from Crawley, are accused of conspiring to cause an explosion likely to endanger life contrary to section 3 (1)(a) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
Jawad Akbar, 22, from Crawley and Uxbridge, Anthony Garcia, 27, from Ilford, east London, Nabeel Hussain, 20, from Horley, Surrey, and Salahuddin Amin, 30, from Luton, Bedfordshire, face the same charge.Jawad Akbar, 22, from Crawley and Uxbridge, Anthony Garcia, 27, from Ilford, east London, Nabeel Hussain, 20, from Horley, Surrey, and Salahuddin Amin, 30, from Luton, Bedfordshire, face the same charge.
Mr Khyam, who has also lived in Slough, Mr Garcia and Mr Hussain are also charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 of possessing an article for terrorism - namely 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser between 5 November, 2003 and 31 March, 2004.Mr Khyam, who has also lived in Slough, Mr Garcia and Mr Hussain are also charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 of possessing an article for terrorism - namely 600kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser between 5 November, 2003 and 31 March, 2004.
Brothers Mr Khyam and Mr Mahmood also deny having aluminium powder, which is an ingredient in explosives, between the same dates.Brothers Mr Khyam and Mr Mahmood also deny having aluminium powder, which is an ingredient in explosives, between the same dates.