Jury selection begins in Sydney terror trial
SIX Sydney men accused of conspiring to commit a terrorist act were strong adherents of the Islamic faith, driven by religion and ideology to carry out violent jihad against the Australian public, potential jurors have been told.
Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment SC today addressed the first 220 potential jurors at the New South Wales Supreme Court trial at the Parramatta court complex.
Bradley Umar Sariff Baladjam, 31; Khaled Cheikho, 35; Moustafa Cheikho, 31; Mohamed Ali Elomar, 43; Abdul Rakib Hasan, 39; and Mohammed Omar Jamal, 24; are accused of conspiring to commit acts in preparation for a terrorist act.
Mr Maidment said the men were among a group of at least nine men who were conspiring to carry out acts of violence, including the detonation of explosives and use of firearms, between July 2004 and November 2005.