http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/11/08/1131212028240.htmlA terror suspect arrested this morning was contemplating sacrificing himself as a martyr, the Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard.
Nine men were arrested in today’s counter-terrorism raids across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs. They included Osama bin Laden supporter Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr.
The court was told the nine had formed a group aimed at carrying out a jihad, or holy war.
Abdullah Merhi, 20, of Fawkner, appeared on charges of intentionally being a member of a terrorist organisation and knowing the organisation was a terrorist organisation.
Seven of the other men are charged with the same offences.
In electronic surveillance conducted by police since July 2004, the apprentice electrician was heard discussing with his group’s so-called “spiritual leader”, Benbrika, 45, of Dallas, whether it would be better to martyr himself overseas or in Australia.
Federal agent Jennifer Vandermoss told the court Merhi was “seeking revenge on the ‘kafar’