This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7082887.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man is cleared of terror charges Man is cleared of terror charges
(about 1 hour later)
A Filipino man has been cleared of terrorism offences after spending nearly a year in an NI jail.A Filipino man has been cleared of terrorism offences after spending nearly a year in an NI jail.
The prosecution told Jaybe Ofrasio, 34, who has an address at Mercer Street in Lisburn, that they were offering no evidence against him.The prosecution told Jaybe Ofrasio, 34, who has an address at Mercer Street in Lisburn, that they were offering no evidence against him.
The Crown originally claimed he was linked to an Islamic terror group, which was connected to Al Qaeda.The Crown originally claimed he was linked to an Islamic terror group, which was connected to Al Qaeda.
Outside the court, Mr Ofrasio's solicitor said his client wanted to return to a normal family life in NI.Outside the court, Mr Ofrasio's solicitor said his client wanted to return to a normal family life in NI.
In January 2004, Mr Ofrasio faced eight offences. Six of them were dropped ahead of Wednesday's court case.In January 2004, Mr Ofrasio faced eight offences. Six of them were dropped ahead of Wednesday's court case.
Mr Ofrasio faced trial on the remaining two charges when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court.Mr Ofrasio faced trial on the remaining two charges when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court.
He was accused of having a floppy disc titled: "Handling of sources by US Army" that was of a kind likely to have been of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.He was accused of having a floppy disc titled: "Handling of sources by US Army" that was of a kind likely to have been of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
He was also charged with having a computer in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that he had it for a purpose connected with terrorism.He was also charged with having a computer in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that he had it for a purpose connected with terrorism.
CustodyCustody
However, after 12 jurors were sworn in, the prosecution told Mr Justice Stephens he had been instructed to "offer no evidence on either of the counts on the indictment" against him.However, after 12 jurors were sworn in, the prosecution told Mr Justice Stephens he had been instructed to "offer no evidence on either of the counts on the indictment" against him.
The judge directed the five men and seven female jurors to acquit Mr Ofrasio.The judge directed the five men and seven female jurors to acquit Mr Ofrasio.
The trial on two other counts of possessing useful information, documents entitled: "How can I train myself Jihad" and "SA-7 Grail" was previously stopped by the court.The trial on two other counts of possessing useful information, documents entitled: "How can I train myself Jihad" and "SA-7 Grail" was previously stopped by the court.
Originally arrested at a previous address at Hawthorn Street, off the Falls Road in west Belfast in January 2004, Mr Ofrasio spent 11 months in custody before being released on High court bail.Originally arrested at a previous address at Hawthorn Street, off the Falls Road in west Belfast in January 2004, Mr Ofrasio spent 11 months in custody before being released on High court bail.
Initially, the Crown case against him was that he had links to Jemaah Islamiya, an islamic paramilitary organistion in the Phillipines which was closely connected to Al Qaeda. Initially, the Crown case against him was that he had links to Jemaah Islamiya, an islamic paramilitary organistion in the Philippines which was closely connected to Al Qaeda.