On April 30, 2007, five Britons were convicted of plotting to carry out al Qaeda-inspired bomb attacks across the country on a range of targets including a shopping mall and a London nightclub. The conviction concludes Britain’s longest running terror trial. The men, all British citizens, face life sentences. The convictions follow a widely publicized media report released on April 23, 2007, of a similar large-scale terrorist plot scheduled to target the UK and mark another substantial victory in the UK’s effort to prevent further terrorist attacks from occurring on British soil.
The group arrested in 2004 and convicted on April 30, 2007, planned to use 600 kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer to create powerful explosives to be used in bombings across Britain. The arrests made in 2004 came just weeks after devastating bombs hit Madrid’s railways.
Omar Khyam, Waheed Mahmood, Anthony Garcia, Jawad Akbar, and Salahuddin Amin were found guilty of conspiring with Canadian citizen Mohammed Momin Khawaja in the plot. Two others arrested in the raids, Nabeel Hussain and Shujah Mahmood, were cleared of conspiracy charges. Throughout the trial prosecutors maintained that security forces arrested them before they had chosen a target.
British security forces believe the successful execution of a plot would have resulted in large-scale loss of life.
Fertilizer Is A Familiar Weapon of Choice
A year prior to their arrests, the men purchased 600 kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer from an agricultural merchant in Sussex and began keeping the material in a self-storage facility in west London. Experts state the fertilizer, when mixed with aluminum powder and sugar would make for a deadly explosive device.
As it is easy to acquire, fertilizer has become a weapon of choice for terrorists around the globe who seek a large pay out with minimal monetary expense and personal risk. In 1996, the United States witnessed its first major terrorist attack when Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people using a bomb that contained 2,200 kg of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. Additionally, the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in Indonesia employed two bombs consisting of the same materials. Of note, Britain’s MI5 also has experience dealing with ammonium nitrate based fertilizer bombs as they were a preferred weapon of the IRA.
Conspirators Met With London Transport Bombers
The fertilizer bomb plot was uncovered three weeks after explosions ripped through Madrid commuter trains in March 2004. The five men are believed to be al-Qaeda sympathizers and represent a phenomenon known as “homegrown” terrorists. While under MI5 surveillance members of the group traveled to Pakistan and attended paramilitary terrorist training camps. Upon their return to Britain they discussed possible schemes including targeting a shopping center, a nightclub, and the British Parliament.
In the yearlong trial details pertaining to the suspects’ connections to outside terrorist elements were suppressed from the jury to ensure a free and fair trial. At its conclusion evidence confirmed the five members had ties to the 2005 London bombers, as well as with al-Qaeda linked cells. While monitoring the two London suicide bombers, MI5 agents witnessed Omar Khyam, the leading figure in the fertilizer bomb plot, meeting with Mohammed Sidique Khan, one of the two 2005 London suicide bombers, on at least five occasions.
MI5 Adjusts to New Face of Terrorism
Despite successful investigations, Britain’s MI5 has fallen under criticism in recent years. In the aftermath of the July 2005 transport attacks, the security agency has been accused of withholding information related to the attacks. Victims’ families allege the MI5 was aware of the plot long before it occurred. Additionally, many are angered by the MI5’s seemingly interminable investigations. This most recent case is under scrutiny because of the nearly two years it took to conclude.
Following Monday’s conviction former British Home Secretary, David Blunkett defended the MI5 stating, “to switch from the Northern Ireland situation into the new form of counter-terrorism was very difficult.” Indeed, hit with a rash of Islamic militancy, the UK is struggling to keep the situation in check. Despite the MI5’s historical experience with terrorism, today’s homegrown Islamic terrorists employ harsher tactics, and unlike the IRA, are connected to a global terrorist network. Although it may take a significant adjustment period, the MI5 is fine-tuning its procedures to reflect the new challenges of terrorism and will likely improve its skills in the near future.
More Arrests and Convictions Can Be Expected In Current Atmosphere
Monday’s convictions echo last week’s report indicating the UK’s anti-terrorism forces are on high alert. The recent events coupled with similar incidents occurring in other European countries, illustrate the heightened atmosphere currently affecting Western Europe. It is likely more suspects will be arrested and convicted on similar charges as anti-terrorism forces throughout Western Europe continue their efforts to disrupt terrorism activities and attacks in the near future.
