Verdicts 'may spark attacks'

16 Oct 2009, 2:26 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Supporters clash with press outside the trial in Sydney. (AAP)

Supporters clash with press outside the trial in Sydney. (AAP)

The brother of one of five Sydney men convicted of plotting a terror attack says the guilty verdicts will increase the threat of attacks in Australia.

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The brother of one of five Sydney men convicted of plotting a terror attack says the guilty verdicts will increase the threat of attacks in Australia.

A jury has today found the men guilty of conspiring to commit an act or acts in preparation for a terrorist act.

During a 10 month trial the NSW Supreme Court was told the devout Muslims plotted with each other and at least four other men between July 2004 and November 2005 to carry out a violent jihadist act.

Outside court following the guilty verdicts the angry brother has warned the men's imprisonment will increase the threat of terror attacks in Australia.

His sister agrees the Muslim community will react to the news of the guilty verdicts but says she doesn't believe it will lead to increased terrorism in Australia.

The brother of one of five Sydney men convicted of plotting a terror attack says the guilty verdicts will increase the threat of attacks in Australia.

The men, all aged between 25 and 44, denied the charges, with their lawyers maintaining there were innocent explanations for much of the material relied on by the crown.

Outside the Supreme Court following the guilty verdicts, the brother of the 25-year-old described the case as "bullshit".

"If you really go through the case and the words in the brief, you'll know it's bullshit," he said.

"If they think this will stop terrorism, imprisoning these people, I don't think it will stop terrorism.

"I think it will increase the threat on Australia."

He indicated he expected a reaction when "the people overseas, when they see this".

When asked if the verdicts would harm Australia's international reputation, the man replied: "What do you think?"

The man's sister agreed the Muslim community would react to the news of the guilty verdicts, but said she didn't believe it would lead to increased terrorism in Australia.

"The Muslim community, obviously they're going to react," she told reporters.

"(But) It won't increase terrorism in Australia. I don't think it will. That's my brother's opinion."

She said if her brother kept his faith he would be able to see out any sentence imposed upon him.

"If my brother's got to do life, I'm sure my brother is willing to do life," she said.

"My brother is willing to do as much as he can, as long as he can smile and put his head up ... he knows in his heart he is innocent."

She said the evidence against her brother, including the discovery of chemicals in his home, was unfair.

One of the chemicals tested was the household cleaner Domestos, she said.

"Everybody uses Domestos in their house, everybody does - it's my favourite cleaning product not ... that I'm a terrorist and I am going to use it for explosives."

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