TERROR GANG’S PLOT TO BLOW UP SEVEN JETS OVER ATLANTIC

The gang intended to detonate the devices in mid-air as part of a co-ordinated blitz on airliners flying from Heathrow to America and Canada.

Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said at least seven planes were targeted, and the “unprecedented” death toll would have included the bombers, crew, and up to 285 passengers on each flight.

He told Woolwich Crown Court that the bombers were “not long off” executing the attack when police arrested them after discovering the plot.

“What these men intended was a deadly statement of intent which would have global impact,” he said.

“They are men with the cold-eyed certainty of the fanatic, prepared to board an aircraft with the ingredients to construct and detonate a device to bring about the loss not only of their own life but all those around them.”

The alleged plot leaders were Abdulla Ahmed Ali, 27, of Walthamstow, Mohammed Gulzar, 26, of Barking, both east London, and Assad Sarwar, 27, of High Wycombe, Bucks.

Tanvir Hussain, 27, of Leyton, Arafat Waheed Khan, 26, of Walthamstow, Waheed Zaman, 23, of Walthamstow, and Umar Islam, 29, of Plaistow, all east London, and Ibrahim Savant, 27, of Stoke Newington, north London, were to be carriers, the court heard.

All eight deny conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit an act of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft.

Mr Wright told the jury of eight men and four women that when police arrested the gang in August 2006, they appeared “almost ready to put their plot into practice”.

He said: “They were prepared to board an aircraft with the necessary ingredients and equipment to construct and detonate a device that would bring about not only the loss of their own lives but also all of those who happened by chance to be taking the same journey.

“They shared a common interest. It was an interest in which they were actively engaged at the time in other areas, an interest that involved inflicting heavy casualties on an unwitting civilian population all in the name of Islam.

“Unfortunately for these men, but to the considerable good fortune of those that were their intended targets of those devices, their activities had come to the attention of the police.”

Mr Wright said police recovered a computer memory stick from Ali’s pocket which revealed details of the plot.

Although Ali claimed it contained details of holiday destinations in America, Mr Wright said it referred to flight timetables, baggage allowances and security details of items that could and could not be taken on board.

The flights earmarked were with United Airlines, Air Canada and American Airlines from Heathrow between August 2006 and August 2007. Their destinations included New York, San Francisco and Montreal.

Mr Wright said: “When one examined what was found on this particular memory stick, certain features became apparent. It seems those interested in this research appeared merely interested in a one-way flight. They did not appear to show any similar interest in flying back to the UK on a return flight.”

Of the seven flights, he added: “These flights were particularly vulnerable to a co-ordinated attack upon them while in flight.

“If each of these aircraft was successfully blown up, the potential for loss of life was indeed considerable.

“And there would be little if any chance of saving any of them from their impending disaster.

“For when the mid-flight explosions began, the authorities would be unable to prevent the other flights from meeting a similar fate, as they would already be in mid-air and carrying their deadly cargo.”

Mr Wright said that conversations monitored between the defendants referred to as many as 18 bombers being involved and that more flights may have eventually been targeted. 

The liquid explosive was to be concealed in 500ml plastic bottles of Oasis and Lucozade to be smuggled on board, he said. This main charge would be detonated by another substance concealed within batteries. 

He said the mixture is “capable of being detonated to deadly effect as previous terrorist incidents have demonstrated”.

Police also recovered a diary from Ali’s pocket which made references to bomb components, how they were to be used and why, the court heard.

On one page he wrote, “Decide on which battery to use for D, small is best”. 

In a separate entry he wrote: “Select date, five days before jet. 

All link up. 

“Dirty mag to distract, condom. One drink use, other keep in pocket, maybe will not get through. 

“Plus keys and chewing gum on the D in the electronic device,” the court was told.

Another page referred to various different coloured soft drinks. 

Mr Wright argued that the entries “amount to a blueprint” for certain aspects of the plot and contained details of how it was to be carried out.

The trial continues.