Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Islamists jailed over Germany's 'September 11' plot
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Islamists jailed over Germany's 'September 11' plot
AFP - Friday, March 5
Send
IM Story
Print
German defendant Daniel Schneider is pictured in a high-security courtrooml in the western German city of Duesseldorf. A German court has jailed four Islamic militants who dreamed of "mounting a second September 11" for a thwarted plot to attack US soldiers and civilians in Germany.
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AFP) - – A German court on Thursday jailed four Islamic militants who dreamed of "mounting a second September 11" for a thwarted plot to attack US soldiers and civilians in Germany.
Sentencing the four -- who included two German converts to Islam -- to between five and 12 years, judge Ottmar Breidling said they planned to stage a "monstrous bloodbath" with car bombings in German cities.
In what Breidling called the biggest terror plot in German post-war history, the four were convicted in a high-security courtroom in the western city of Duesseldorf after a more than 10-month trial.
The two German converts to Islam, Fritz Gelowicz and Daniel Schneider, each received 12-year jail terms.
Adem Yilmaz, a Turkish citizen, got 11 years while Atilla Selek, a German of Turkish origin, was given five years in prison for what the court called a supporting role in the plot.
The judges stopped short of handing down the maximum 15 years because the defendants had confessed. The bearded men sat impassively as the sentences were read out.
Breidling said the militants, now aged 24 to 31, had schemed to carry out "an extraordinarily dangerous and sweeping attack plot" with visions of "mounting a second September 11, 2001".
"If the accused had managed to do what they planned, it would have led to a monstrous bloodbath, primarily among US army personnel and also civilians," he said.
"Apparently a not even rudimentary knowledge of Islam is enough for such blind extremists to turn themselves into angels of death in the name of Islam."
Proposed targets included pubs and nightclubs in several German cities frequented by Americans but also US airbases and diplomatic facilities.
Breidling said there were now in Europe "many impressionable young men and men who have already been led astray, ready to kill for notions of Jihad."
The so-called Sauerland cell, named after the region where three were captured in September 2007, admitted to belonging to a "terrorist organisation", plotting murder and conspiring for an explosives attack.
They aimed to kill Americans, but also punish Germany for its military involvement in Afghanistan, Breidling said.
Authorities said they captured the men just in time, as they were planning attacks before October 12, 2007, when parliament was to vote to extend German participation in the NATO force in Afghanistan.
After the biggest criminal surveillance operation in postwar history, police using US and German intelligence caught three of the suspects red-handed, mixing chemicals to make some 410 kilogrammes (900 pounds) of explosives.
This was 100 times the amount used in the 2005 London bombings that killed more than 50 people, prosecutors said.
The fourth suspect, Selek, was arrested soon after in Turkey.
The cases of Gelowicz and Schneider in particular shocked the country, raising questions how seemingly ordinary Germans could become radicalised by Islamic militant preaching and attend terror training camps.
The group said it was acting on behalf of the Islamic Jihad Union, a militant group with ties to Al-Qaeda that is believed to have set up such camps along the Afghan-Pakistani border.
Chief prosecutor Volker Brinkmann told reporters he was "very satisfied" with the sentences and said authorities had gleaned crucial insights into extremist recruitment and training from the defendants' confessions.
Gelowicz, Schneider and Selek had each renounced extremism and described their actions as a "mistake".
Three of the defendants said they would not appeal, while Gelowicz said he wanted to "sleep on it" before deciding, according to a defence lawyer.
Germany, which opposed the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq but has more than 4,000 troops in Afghanistan, has beefed up security and surveillance in response to the threat of attacks.
The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States were planned in part in the German port city of Hamburg by an Al-Qaeda cell led by Mohammed Atta, the hijacker of the first plane to strike New York's World Trade Center.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
More than 50 ships stuck in Baltic Sea ice: maritime authorities AFP - 2 hours 38 minutes ago
Dutch far-right breakthrough met with Muslim disbelief AFP - Friday, March 5
Divers hunt for bodies off Chile coast AFP - Friday, March 5
Togo votes for leader, opposition warns against fraud AFP - Friday, March 5
US sees jobless claims fall AFP - Friday, March 5
News Search
Top Stories
US sees jobless claims fall
Greece issues bond, faces opposition to aid schemes
Scientists find early dinosaur cousin
ECB holds key rate at one percent
Europe's economic recovery stalls: EU
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist
US sees jobless claims fall
Greece issues bond, raises IMF appeal as strikes hit
NASA radar finds ice on moon's north pole
ECB holds key rate at one percent
More Most Viewed »
Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist
Florida killer whale to stay in park after deadly attack
DNA reveals some mystery on King Tut, raises questions
Scientists recreate Big Bang heat of 4 tln degrees C
First footage of clouded leopard captured in Borneo
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 5 March 2010 Egypt tycoon facing death, gets retrial
Security raised in Malacca Strait after terror warning
|
Killer waves caused panic on Med. cruise ship
NATO chief says enemy might be 'everywhere' in cyberspace
US sees jobless claims fall
Bangladesh police arrest Facebook share tipster
Greece issues bond, faces opposition to aid schemes
Scientists find early dinosaur cousin
Child porn, ID theft drive record cyber crime in Japan
Facebook in no rush to go public: Zuckerberg
Kremlin tough on gas deal ahead of Yanukovich visit
|
Spain's El Mundo to launch paid news Internet application
Italian judges say Knox did not plan Kercher murder
|
Olympus eyes 20 percent share in high-end digicam
Marines face skepticism after taking Afghan town
|
Afghanistan to block some Internet sites: minister
Yemen separatist shot dead, southern tensions rise
|
U.N. rights chief slams abuses in Sri Lanka, Iran
|
Microsoft COO sees gradual recovery
|
TiVo wins ruling in EchoStar case, shares soar
|
14 charged under Indonesia's anti-terror laws
Whaling foes struggle to reach deal
Police fight militant suspects in Indonesian Aceh
Japan to decide in March on plan to move US base: PM
850,000 migrants register in Thailand: ministry
Islamists jailed over Germany's 'September 11' plot
Viacom to drop Jon Stewart, Colbert Report from Hulu
|
Cambodia tests rockets to guard against 'invaders'
China shifts gears with smaller defense increase
Indian Chandhok presented by Hispania F1 team
63 die, dozens injured in Indian temple stampede
Indonesia's president calls for calm over bank bailout
India's growth potential exceptional: Airbus
EU expects free trade deal with India by October
Court backs EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese shoes
Sony developing handheld devices to counter Apple: WSJ
Malaysia raises key rate for first time in four years
Taiwan earthquake injures 64; damage minor
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.80 bln
Toyota Prius tops Japan sales despite recall woes
Indonesian leader defends 2 beleaguered ministers
Viacom to drop Jon Stewart, Colbert Report from Hulu
|
Sade leads pop chart for third week
|
Chile quake wrecks vineyards, wine stocks
Contemporary art shines at New York's Armory Show
Unveiled women stop traffic in Iraq election campaign
Vienna Philharmonic pays birthday tribute to Maazel
US returns stolen tsarist medallion to Russia
Spain uses top chef to revive tourism
Women in Asia Pacific feeling more empowered: survey
Taxi signs get the finger on South African stamps
British PM insists Iraq war was 'right decision'
ETA suspects charged with terrorism in France
Attacks kill 12 as Iraqi troops and police vote
|
US-TECH Summary
Greek, German leaders move to soothe tensions
Iraq's religious leaders urge strong voter turnout
Greeks fight cuts but expect government to win out
|
Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs
Russia, Ukraine hope to mend ties as Yanukovych visits
Microsoft to stay its China course despite Google spat
Chile quake-area still shaking, death toll unclear
|
Feral Hogs No Longer Living High On The Hog In South Florida
Russia unveils 20-billion-dollar plan to save car industry
Olympic snowboard champ stars in skateboard videogame
Imam In New York Subway Terror Plot Pleads Guilty
Singapore raises security alert after Malacca threat
|
Iran summons Italy envoy over arms trafficking arrests
FBI director warns of growing cyber threat
Sarah Palin Pitching Reality Show To Networks
Sony to take on Apple with handheld devices: WSJ
Lack of funds cost British soldiers' lives: report
50 ships, thousands of people, stuck in Baltic Sea ice
China's Wen says seeks peace, trade deal with Taiwan
|
Cyber-terrorism a real and growing threat: FBI
Microsoft to sell phone on Verizon by summer-source
US commander to get more Afghan authority
Authorities Warn Spring Breakers About Traveling To Dangerous Mexican Border Towns
Liberals rap Kremlin as Stalin is worshipped
|
PC sales to grow 20 percent in 2010: Gartner
Drea De Matteo Leaving "Desperate Housewives" In May
Afghan women lawmakers hamstrung by warlords: activist
Dutch far-right breakthrough met with Muslim disbelief
UK PM Brown says Iraq War was justified
|
Microsoft COO sees gradual recovery
Shooting At Pentagon Wounds 2 Officers, Kills Suspect
McChrystal bans night raids without Afghan troops
|
Turkey pulls envoy after U.S. vote on "genocide" label
Television Version Of "Tron" In The Works For Disney Channel
Turkey to press on with Armenia peace despite vote
|
Somali Islamist rebels ban English, science lessons
|
Mayors Want Federal Disaster Relief Laws Reformed
Turkey pulls envoy after U.S. vote on "genocide" label
Sherri Shepherd, Kathy Ireland To Co-Host Oscar Pre-Show
Microsoft to sell phone on Verizon by summer-source
West pitch new sanctions on Iran in Security Council
Israel and Palestinians set for indirect talks
FBI director warns of growing cyber threat
|
Microsoft to stay its China course despite Google spat
|
NATO details its Afghan night raids policy
Beijing says working with Google to resolve dispute
|
Suicide bomber kills 12 in Pakistan
Microsoft to sell phone on Verizon by summer-source
|
India tribes fight mining firm in real-life Avatar
US gunman at Pentagon acted alone: police
Indonesian police stage raid suspected militants
Turkish anger as US passes Armenia 'genocide' bill
Chinese teacher pricked 63 children with syringe
Man dies after shooting Pentagon security officers
China premier pledges attention to jobs, stability
Taiwan quake causes millions of dollars in damage
Pentagon shooting suspect 'died of injuries'
Students, teachers protest over US education cuts
Police: 5 killed in NW Pakistan suicide attack
Police: Calif. mother dumped newborn in trash
U.S. commander in Afghanistan gets more authority
Mao's grandson asks: 'Comrade, where's my car?'
Police: 3 killed in NW Pakistan suicide attack
White House cranks up pressure for health reform
U.S. Marines face scepticism after taking Afghan town
Pakistani rupee firms; o/n rates down; stocks up
Toyota chief urges company to 'restart'
That's credible: Oscar movies grounded in reality
Indian firm launches 'AAA' battery powered handset
Wall Street, Japan bank report push Asian shares up
Top Hollywood names not among Oscar voters
Embattled Toyota launches sales campaign in China
Beijing blasts US export penalties
Korea Life prices $1.5 bln IPO below range
Korea Life prices IPO below indicative range-sources
Market oversupplied, no OPEC quota changes:Libya
Philippine inflation down to 4.2 pct in February
World's Smallest Baby Born In Germany
Indonesia police, militants clash in Aceh province
EU Approves Planting Of GM Potato For Industrial Use
Snoop Dogg wins latest round in UK entry case
Top Hollywood names not among Oscar voters
|
Pilot With Forged License Busted After Flying For 13 Years
India tribes fight mining firm in real-life Avatar
Bourne again: Green Zone a remarkable movie
|
German Lawmakers: Greek Islands Can Be Collateral For Bailout
Chopin bicentennary: show revisits composer's French years
Spanish Police Bust Botnet Ring That Hacked 13 Million PCs
That's credible: Oscar movies grounded in reality
|
That's credible: Oscar movies grounded in reality
Woman Sues Plastic Surgeon For Giving Her 4 Breasts
Top Hollywood names not among Oscar voters
FAA Suspends, Probes Kennedy Airport Air Traffic Controllers For Letting Kid Talk To Pilots
Snoop Dogg wins latest round in UK entry case
|
India tribes fight mining firm in real-life Avatar
|
New Warsaw museum gives high-tech tour of Chopin's world
John Lennon appearance in car ad stirs controversy
|
'Ajami' casts harsh light on Israel's other Arab conflict
Bourne again: "Green Zone" a remarkable movie
"American Idol" sends home four competitors
John Lennon appearance in car ad stirs controversy
American Idol sends home four competitors
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights