Iraqi cleared over 'terror video'

12 April 2012

An Iraqi Muslim has been cleared by a jury of making or possessing a video of potential terrorist targets.

Minicab driver Rauf Mohammed put his face in his hands and sobbed as the foreman of the jury panel read out the not guilty verdict at Woolwich Crown Court.

Mohammed, 26, of Forest Gate in east London, had been accused of making a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The prosecution alleged that the asylum seeker had toured the capital listening to hypnotic music about martyrdom, and he spoke of killing Western leaders including Tony Blair.

The footage also contained a speech by terror leader Osama bin Laden and shots which "zoomed in" on Paddington Green police station in London, where terrorist subjects are taken.

"High-profile targets" including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and hotels on Park Lane also featured in the film, which the prosecution claimed was partially transferred on to a VHS tape.

But Mohammed claimed the video made in September 2003 was only a tourist souvenir.

The jury of six men and six women returned four not guilty verdicts at the south east London court, relating to possession and making of both the original and the copy video.

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