Cameron Stewart
The Australian
September 21, 2011
After a Victorian judge yesterday threw out a second round of charges against convicted terrorists, it can be revealed that self-proclaimed Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika was considered the central figure and the driving force behind both cells in Melbourne and Sydney.
The groups' targets were to have included a terrorist strike on the 2005 AFL grand final between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles, Melbourne's Crown casino during Grand Prix weekend in 2006 and Sydney's Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.
Benbrika, who is currently serving a minimum 12 years in jail for leading a terrorist organisation, was recorded telling one of his followers: "If we want to die for jihad, we have to have maximum damage. Maximum damage. Damage their buildings, everything. Damage their lives. To show them, we'll have to be careful."
More on the maximum damage that "inner struggle" sought to cause at "The Australian"
