Izzydeen Atik tells terror trial of credit card fraud
THE 2005 AFL Grand Final was nominated as the original bombing target of an alleged home-grown Melbourne terror cell by the man described as its leader or ‘sheik’.
A jury heard today that in conversation with a witness at the terror trial Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, said the MCG bombing had been cancelled because of police and ASIO raids on members of the group in July 2005.
Izzydeen Atik told the Supreme Court that Mr Benbrika nominated two other targets, the NAB Cup and Crown Casino during the 2006 Melbourne Grand Prix weekend.
Mr Atik, 27, has admitted he had discussions about bombings with Mr Benbrika as a follow up to two earlier secretly taped conversations heard by the jury today.
While they were driving together Mr Atik said they had a conversation about terrorist attacks.
“The original target was supposed to be the Grand Final of 2005,” Mr Atik said he was told by Mr Benbrika.
Mr Atik said Mr Benbrika told him the raids on group members had disrupted funding.
On trial before Justice Bernard Bongiorno are: Mr Benbrika of Dallas, Shane Kent, 31, Meadow Heights, Majed Raad, 23, Coburg, Abdullah Merhi, 22, Fawkner, Mr Joud, 23, Hoppers Crossing, Ahmed Raad, 24, Fawkner, Fadl Sayadi, 28, Coburg, Ezzit Raad, 26, Preston, Hany Taha, 33, Hadfield, Shoue Hammoud, 28, Hadfield, Bassam Raad, 26, Brunswick and Amer Haddara, 28, Yarraville.
According to a 12-page indictment the alleged act or threat would have involved the detonation of an explosive or use of weapons.
This was said to be in pursuit of “advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, namely the pursuit of violent jihad” with the intention of coercing or intimidating the Government or the public.
The jury was played two bugged conversations in Mr Benbrika’s Dallas home on March 4, 2005 between him and Mr Atik.
In the conversations Mr Benbrika talks of members of the group being under suveillance and their phones being bugged.
At one point Mr Benbrika says tio Mr Atik “we’ll damage buildings. Blast things.”