Terror suspect's video is "the only evidence against him" (From Bucks Free Press)

Terror suspect's video is "the only evidence against him"

1:40pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008 in News By Lucinda Adam

TERROR suspect Umar Islam's "stupid" decision to make a martyrdom video is "the only evidence against him", his lawyer has told jurors.

As the trial of eight British Muslims accused of plotting to blow up transatlantic passenger planes draws to a close, Laurence McNulty QC has begun his closing speech to jurors about Umar Islam.

The 30-year-old defendant, of Bushey Road, West Ham, east London, was previously known as Brian Young, of, Desborough, High Wycombe.

Last week, he pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance by making a martyrdom video, said to be intended for an amateur propaganda documentary against British foreign policy.

But he denies conspiracy to murder and to endanger life aboard aircraft by detonating home-made liquid bombs disguised in soft drink bottles in his hand luggage in mid-air.

Mr McNulty began by stressing that the 15 minute video Islam made during a one-and-a-half hour visit to the gang's flat in Forrest Road, East London in July 2006, was "the only evidence against him".

In the recording, Islam says: "This is revenge for the actions of the USA in the Muslim lands and they're accomplices, such as the British and the Jews.

"This is a warning to the non believers that if they do not leave our lands there are many more like us and many more like me ready to strike.

"To all the non believers, all the non Muslims let it be known that you can never win in this war."

Mr McNulty said: "Mr Islam has told you that he made a video and has told you why and he has pleaded guilty to conspiring to cause a public nuisance as a result.

"Mr Islam does not blame anybody else for the fact that he made that video. No one forced him - it was his decision. Of course, it was a stupid decision, and he has to face the consequences."

He told jurors the prosecution had produced is no "significant" surveillance or telephone evidence against Islam.

And he said surveillance evidence from a bug planted inside the flat by intelligence officers showed his client was not involved in the alleged murder plot.

He told them: "Mr Islam has the good fortune in this case that whilst that video was being made, it was supplemented by recordings made by a bug which had been planted there and it records the background to the making of the video which, we say, shows very clearly that he was not talking about a suicide mission."

Introducing his closing speech, he urged jurors to separate their minds from media coverage over the past two years, which he said had painted a picture of the accused as "evil monsters".

He also warned that their final decision in the trial would be used by Al Queda as propaganda to recruit terrorists, particularly if they believed a miscarriage of justice had occurred.

He said: "Whatever your verdict, people will take it and seek to manipulate it to achieve objectives that neither you nor I intend or desire, and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it."

Mr McNulty will continue his address to jurors at Woolwich Crown Court this afternoon.

Jurors are expected to be sent out to consider their verdict on all eight defendants in the next few days.

All eight deny conspiracy to murder and to endanger life aboard an aircraft.

Last week, three men - including Assad Sarwar, 28, of Walton Drive, Totteridge, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions at "iconic" buildings as a political protest.

Seven defendants, including Islam and Sarwar, have admitted conspiracy to cause a public nuisance by making martyrdom videos.

The trial continues.

To see clips from Islam's video click on the link below.