Aussie Muslim cleric, others convicted on terror raps

Australian Imam and 5 of his followers, who misunderstood islam, convicted on terrorist charges. ABS CBN News

MELBOURNE - A firebrand Muslim cleric and five followers were convicted Monday of forming an Australian terrorist cell accused of plotting bomb attacks designed to kill thousands.

The jury in Australia's largest terror trial found Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, guilty of being the leader of the cell in the southern city of Melbourne and five others guilty of being members.

The Victorian Supreme Court heard that Benbrika urged his followers to target football matches or a train station and kill civilians to pressure Australia to withdraw soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Benbrika had told his followers it was "permissible to kill women, children and the aged," prosecutors said during the trial.

Prosecutor Richard Maidment had told the trial material seized from the group by police included literature on how to make bombs and video tapes with messages from Osama bin Laden.

The court was told suggested targets included the 100,000-strong crowd at the 2005 Australian Football League grand final at Melbourne Cricket Ground and the popular Crown Casino during the 2006 Australian Formula One Grand Prix.