This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22290927
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Terror plot: Leaders jailed for Birmingham bomb plan | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Leaders of a Birmingham terror cell that planned an attack to rival the 7 July and 9/11 atrocities have been jailed. | Leaders of a Birmingham terror cell that planned an attack to rival the 7 July and 9/11 atrocities have been jailed. |
| Irfan Naseer, 31, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years, Irfan Khalid, 28, was given 18 years and Ashik Ali was sentenced to 15 years. | Irfan Naseer, 31, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years, Irfan Khalid, 28, was given 18 years and Ashik Ali was sentenced to 15 years. |
| The judge said Naseer wanted to turn part of Birmingham into a "little war zone". | The judge said Naseer wanted to turn part of Birmingham into a "little war zone". |
| Eight other members of the terror cell will be sentenced later. | Eight other members of the terror cell will be sentenced later. |
| The group had planned to set off up to eight bombs in rucksacks, using timers to detonate the charges. | The group had planned to set off up to eight bombs in rucksacks, using timers to detonate the charges. |
| 'Skilful bomb-maker' | 'Skilful bomb-maker' |
| Detectives believe the terror plot is the most significant to be uncovered since the 2006 conspiracy to blow up transatlantic airliners using bombs disguised as soft drinks. | Detectives believe the terror plot is the most significant to be uncovered since the 2006 conspiracy to blow up transatlantic airliners using bombs disguised as soft drinks. |
| Mr Justice Henriques told Naseer during sentencing: "Your plot had the blessing of al-Qaeda and you intended to further the aims of al-Qaeda." | Mr Justice Henriques told Naseer during sentencing: "Your plot had the blessing of al-Qaeda and you intended to further the aims of al-Qaeda." |
| In February, the three men were found guilty of 12 counts of preparing for acts of terrorism. | |
| They were arrested in September 2011, amid fears an attack was imminent. | |
| Khalid was sentenced to 18 years with a further five on licence. He had boasted that the attack would be "another 9/11". | |
| When sentencing him, the judge said he took into account that Khalid had been found to be in the bottom 2% to 5% in terms of cognitive ability. | |
| Ali was jailed for 15 years with five on licence. | |
| The judge described Naseer as a "skilful bomb-maker". | The judge described Naseer as a "skilful bomb-maker". |
| He said: "Clearly nothing was going to stop you, short of intervention of the authorities. | He said: "Clearly nothing was going to stop you, short of intervention of the authorities. |
| "I have no doubt you would have continued with your plan but for that intervention. | "I have no doubt you would have continued with your plan but for that intervention. |
| "Many deaths were planned by a determined team of individuals who were fully radicalised and you, Naseer, were their leader. | "Many deaths were planned by a determined team of individuals who were fully radicalised and you, Naseer, were their leader. |
| "No lack of assets, skill or manpower was going to stop you." | "No lack of assets, skill or manpower was going to stop you." |
| Naseer and Khalid had received training from al-Qaeda contacts in Pakistan and had recorded martyrdom videos there before returning to the UK. | |
| Having recruited others, the group posed as legitimate charity workers on the streets of Birmingham and collected thousands of pounds from unsuspecting members of the public. | |
| Naseer played a key role in sending four other Birmingham men to Pakistan to receive training. | |
| They and four other members of the group pleaded guilty to preparing for acts of terrorism and are due to be sentenced later on Friday. |