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http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23970754-2862,00.html
Terror teacher lacked knowledge, court told
Shelley Hadfield
July 05, 2008 12:00am
A MELBOURNE man accused of leading a terrorist cell wanted to be "an oracle", but was mocked by some of his followers, a court has been told.
Defence counsel Remy van de Wiel, QC, said there was no evidence linking Abdul Nacer Benbrika to donations to terrorist groups.
"What have they got that indicates that Mr Benbrika is associated with any terrorist organisation? Nothing," Mr van de Wiel said.
Mr Benbrika is one of 12 men on trial in the Supreme Court accused of being members of a terrorist group.
Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika was the sort of person people went to if they were interested in religion, but he lacked knowledge in other areas.
He had a limited
grasp of computers, did not know how to spell "google" and thought it was possible to drive to Tasmania.
Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika made an emotional outburst when presented with a book he believed to be inaccurate, and had a "hissy fit" when some followers arrived late for one of his religious classes.
Evidence in the trial suggested he did not even know about the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, Mr van de Wiel said.
Followers mocked some of the topics Mr Benbrika talked about, such as the evil eye, magic and sorcery, the court was told. Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika had devoted a large part of his life to religion.
"He wants power, insofar as he likes to be the person who is consulted about religion," he said.
"He likes to be the oracle. Whether that's power or a sense of belonging it makes no difference."
Mr Benbrika, 48, of Dallas; Abdullah Merhi, 22, of Fawkner; Shane Kent, 31, of Meadow Heights; Majed Raad, 23, of Coburg; Aimen Joud, 23
, of Hoppers Crossing; Ahmed Raad, 24, of Fawkner; Fadl Sayadi, 28, of Coburg; Ezzit Raad, 26, of Preston; Hany Taha, 33, of Hadfield; Shoue Hammoud, 28, of Hadfield; Bassam Raad, 26, of Brunswick; and Amer Haddara, 28, of Yarraville, deny being members of a terrorist organisation.
The trial continues on Monday.
Terror teacher lacked knowledge, court told
Shelley Hadfield
July 05, 2008 12:00am
A MELBOURNE man accused of leading a terrorist cell wanted to be "an oracle", but was mocked by some of his followers, a court has been told.
Defence counsel Remy van de Wiel, QC, said there was no evidence linking Abdul Nacer Benbrika to donations to terrorist groups.
"What have they got that indicates that Mr Benbrika is associated with any terrorist organisation? Nothing," Mr van de Wiel said.
Mr Benbrika is one of 12 men on trial in the Supreme Court accused of being members of a terrorist group.
Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika was the sort of person people went to if they were interested in religion, but he lacked knowledge in other areas.
He had a limited
grasp of computers, did not know how to spell "google" and thought it was possible to drive to Tasmania.
Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika made an emotional outburst when presented with a book he believed to be inaccurate, and had a "hissy fit" when some followers arrived late for one of his religious classes.
Evidence in the trial suggested he did not even know about the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, Mr van de Wiel said.
Followers mocked some of the topics Mr Benbrika talked about, such as the evil eye, magic and sorcery, the court was told. Mr van de Wiel said Mr Benbrika had devoted a large part of his life to religion.
"He wants power, insofar as he likes to be the person who is consulted about religion," he said.
"He likes to be the oracle. Whether that's power or a sense of belonging it makes no difference."
Mr Benbrika, 48, of Dallas; Abdullah Merhi, 22, of Fawkner; Shane Kent, 31, of Meadow Heights; Majed Raad, 23, of Coburg; Aimen Joud, 23
, of Hoppers Crossing; Ahmed Raad, 24, of Fawkner; Fadl Sayadi, 28, of Coburg; Ezzit Raad, 26, of Preston; Hany Taha, 33, of Hadfield; Shoue Hammoud, 28, of Hadfield; Bassam Raad, 26, of Brunswick; and Amer Haddara, 28, of Yarraville, deny being members of a terrorist organisation.
The trial continues on Monday.