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'Osama bin London' Convicted

Preacher organized training camps, touted murder

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 26, 2008 2:50 PM CST
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(Newser) – An extremist preacher who called himself "Osama bin London" has been convicted of organizing terrorist training camps and promoting murder, the London Times reports. Mohammed Hamid trained five of the terrorists who undertook a thwarted attack at outdoor sights in suburban London. He mocked the death toll from the 7/7 London bombings: "Fifty-two? That's not even a breakfast to me." Three others were convicted of attending the training camps.

Hamid combined his countryside programs—which included camping and paintballing as well as weapons training—with weekly sermons at his home in an East London housing project. The conviction, after a 4-month trial, is one of the most important since 9/11, British police said; it concluded the first  prosecution under 2006 legislation that criminalized organizing or attending terrorist training.

Mohammad Hamid, who was convicted today of organizing terrorist training camps.
Mohammad Hamid, who was convicted today of organizing terrorist training camps.   (Metropolitan Police/PA)
A police van arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court, London, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. A British court has convicted Mohammad Hamid of terrorist offenses.
A police van arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court, London, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. A British court has convicted Mohammad Hamid of terrorist offenses.   (Associated Press)
An armed British police officer stands guard near the entrance to the Houses of Parliament in London, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, with big Ben's clock tower behind.
An armed British police officer stands guard near the entrance to the Houses of Parliament in London, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, with big Ben's clock tower behind.   (Associated Press)
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How police caught the group
Times (UK)

What went on at the training sites?
Guardian (UK)

 
terrorism • British terror attacks • terror cell

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