Convicted cyber terrorist dubbed 007 'hid al-Qaeda magazine in prison cell with information about blowing up plane'

 
'Terrorist plot': Younis Tsouli allegedly kept the magazine in his cell at HMP Woodhill (Picture: Google Street View)
Paul Cheston27 October 2014
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A convicted cyber terrorist who was known as 007 by fellow jihadists hid an al-Qaeda magazine in his cell with information about blowing up a plane, the Old Bailey heard.

Younis Tsouli, 31, was weeks from release when a prison officer at HMP Woodhill found a copy of Inspire's November 2010 edition during a routine search.

Tsouli, a Morroccan, has pleaded not guilty to possessing a terrorist document in September last year.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk told jurors: "The magazine contains practical instructions for carrying out terrorist atrocities, including in particular how to smuggle a bomb on to an aeroplane.

"That it was of assistance to would-be terrorists is not likely to be in dispute. The issue for you in this case is whether the defendant had a reasonable excuse for it."

The court heard that Tsouli had been jailed for 16 years in 2007 for inciting terrorism through the construction of websites and chat rooms.

He served part of his sentence at HMP Long Lartin with another terror inmate called Omar Latif before being transferred to HMP Woodhill four months before he was due to be released in November last year.

When the magazine was discovered in his cell, Tsouli said it formed part of his legal paperwork before saying: "You know what, guv? Just take it and destroy it," the court heard.

The 23-page magazine contained a feature on "Operation Haemorrhage", with guidance on concealing a bomb in a printer and getting it through X-ray machines at an airport.

The court heard that the article said the operation cost 4,300 US dollars (£2,600) and that Charles Dickens's Great Expectations was used as part of the disguise.

Towards the end of the magazine in a list of "Muslim Prisoners" the defendant is referred to as "Brother Irhabi 007", Mr Chalk said.

The prosecutor went on to explain how Tsouli could have got hold of a copy of the magazine while he was in prison.

It was an exhibit in a separate case of nine defendants for engaging in conduct in preparing for acts of terrorism, including Latif and Mohammed Chowdhury.

Mr Chalk said: "Putting it simply, Mr Latif was present at Long Lartin at the same time as this defendant Younis Tsouli."

Fingerprints were also found on the document belonging to Tsouli, Latif and Chowdhury, he added.

When he was interviewed in November last year, Tsouli declined to answer questions and claimed he had not committed any offence.

The trial continues.

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