LOC19:55
16:55 GMT
LONDON, May 4 (KUNA) -- Four men went on trial Wednesday in England accused
of trying to recruit others to fight a "jihad" against British soldiers in
Afghanistan.
Munir Farooqi, 54, his son Harris Farooqi, 27, Matthew Newton, 29, and
Israr Malik, 22, face a series of allegations including preparing for acts of
terrorism and soliciting murder.
All four, facing 10 terror offences in all, stood in the dock at Manchester
Crown Court in northern England as a jury were sworn in for the start of their
trial.
The trial judge, told the jury: "The four defendants face a number of
allegations, alleging preparing for acts of terrorism.
"The prosecution allege that the defendants tried to recruit others to
conduct or assist in violent jihad abroad by the persuading of others to
travel from the UK to training camps and battlefields abroad, principally in
Afghanistan and to fight the government of Afghanistan and British and other
soldiers supporting the Afghanistan government."
All have pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, alleged to have taken
place between October 2008 and November 2009.
Much of today's proceedings was taken up with selecting the jury for the
trial, which is estimated to last at least three months.
To ensure a fair trial potential jurors were asked a series of questions,
including if they had close family or friends in the armed forces, or family
or friends who are members of a police force and deal with counter-terrorism.
The trial was adjourned until tomorrow morning when Andrew Edis will
formally open the case for the prosecution, giving more details of the
allegations. (end)
he.gb
KUNA 041955 May 11NNNN