Three men accused of conspiring a terror plot in Melbourne were allegedly motivated by the belief they would die as martyrs and enter paradise, a Supreme Court trial has been told.
Hamza Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 25 and Abdullah Chaarani, 27, faced day one of their trial on Tuesday, each charged with conspiring or preparing for acts of terror targeting Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and St Paul’s Cathedral on Christmas Day, 2016.
Three men accused of conspiring a terror plot in Melbourne allegedly bought supplies for improvised explosives from Bunnings (stock image) in Broadmeadows, court told
Prosecutors allege the men purchased metal pipes from Bunnings in Broadmeadows, hydrogen peroxide from Chemist Warehouse, and light globes and batteries to make “improvised explosive devices”.
In his opening to the jury, prosecutor Nicholas Papas QC said the men wanted to wage jihad against disbelievers, known as “kafirs”.
“The crown case is that each accused followed an extreme brand of Sunni Islam, which had, as one of its central aims, a violent jihad – a violent struggle, against its disbelievers around the world,” he said.
Mr Papas said Australia was viewed as a country of disbelievers.
He added it was expected “the terrorist act would also result in the death of the accused”, which meant “they would ascend to paradise as a martyr”.
It’s alleged that Hamza Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 25 and Abdullah Chaarani, 27, bought hydrogen peroxide from Chemist Warehouse (stock image) to make their ‘improvised explosives’.
Footage was shown to jurors of the men on the steps of Federation Square, which the Crown alleges was a “reconnoitre”.
Mr Papas said the men planned for a terrorist act at the central location where people gathered “to maximise casualties”.
The trial, which is expected to take up to 10 weeks, continues.