ABU HAMZA GUILTY ON TERROR CHARGES
MUSLIM cleric at the Old Bailey. Abu Hamza was today found guilty of six counts of soliciting to murder
The controversial hook-handed cleric was also found guilty on three out of four counts of using threatening words and behaviour and a further chargeof possessing a document useful to terrorists.
The jury also found he was guilty of possessing tapes with a view to stir up racial hatred.
Altogether he was found guilty of 11 our of 15 charges.
Hamza, who became notorious as a radical preacher at the Finsbury Park mosque, was originally arrested on an extradition warrant in 2004.
One of the charges, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, concerned a copy of the Encyclopaedia Of The Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
The prosecution said the encyclopaedia was a terrorism "manual" containing a dedication to Osama bin Laden and a passage suggesting a list of potential targets, including skyscrapers, the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben.
During the lengthy trial, the prosecution claimed Hamza was a "recruiting sergeant" for terrorism and murder. During lectures at Finsbury Park, in Luton, Whitechapel and Blackburn, Hamza "was preaching terrorism, homicidal violence and hatred". His message made "clear encouragements" to kill.
Hamza, 47, denied the charges and claimed the case against him was politically motivated. In a written statement he declared: "I have never wanted to or encouraged anyone to hurt British people."
Mirror
