Oz Terror Plot FoiledThis time involving a group of non-Muslims.
Okay,
just kidding about the latter part.
The men are all followers of Algerian-born Abdul Nacer Benbrika, a radical Melbourne cleric who also had acolytes in Sydney, eight of whom were arrested at the same time.
The 11 are charged with being members of a terrorist organization, and some are charged with funding a terrorist organization. They face prison sentences of up to 25 years.
Seven of the 11 refused to stand when directed to by the magistrate who read out their charges and asked for their pleas.
None of the defendants entered pleas Friday, but their attorneys had said earlier that their clients deny the charges laid against them.
Police alleged that the eight arrested in Sydney were part of a terrorist cell and had stockpiled enough chemicals to make 15 large bombs and could have been just days away from striking targets in Australia's largest city.
