Author: AAP
Publication: News.com.au
Date: April 19, 2006
URL: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18859797-29157,00.html
A Sydney man plotted to bomb Sydney's electricity
grid and various defence sites in "violent jihad", a New South Wales
Supreme Court jury heard today.
Faheem Khalid Lodhi, 36, today pleaded not guilty to four counts of preparing
to commit a terrorist act between October 3 and 26, 2003.
In reading the indictment against Mr Lodhi,
Justice Anthony Whealy said it was alleged he had collected two maps of Australia's
electricity grid with the intention of seriously damaging it by detonating
an explosive or incendiary device.
He did this with "the intent of advancing
a political, religious or ideological cause, namely violent jihad," the
indictment says.
Mr Lodhi allegedly sought information on the
availability of materials used to manufacture explosives and also created
a set of aerial photographs of certain Australian defence establishments with
the intention of detonating an explosive device.
The court was told he also allegedly possessed
documents containing information relating to the ingredients and method of
manufacture of poisons, explosives and detonators, as well as intelligence
in connection with a terrorist act.
Sydney Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment,
SC, said the crown case centred around documents.
"In particular by reference to allegations
that he (Mr Lodhi) collected documents, that he made documents, and that he
possessed documents or sets of documents which, in each case, the crown alleges,
were connected with preparation for a terrorist act," Mr Maidment said.
"And that at the time he did so, in each
case, he knew of that connection."
Mr Maidment said the alleged offences were
committed when Lodhi was living at Lakemba in Sydney's southwest.
He told the six men and six women jurors,
empanelled today, that 34 witnesses would be called during the trial.
They included members of the Australian Federal
Police, NSW and Victorian police, the Department of Defence, and the US Federal
Bureau of Investigation, as well as various civilians.
An undefined number of ASIO witnesses would
also take the stand during the eight-week trial, Mr Maidment said.
Justice Whealy told the jury there were still
a number of legal issues to be resolved before the trial could formally open.
The jury was dismissed until Monday, when
the crown case is expected to formally begin.
