Muslim cleric jailed 15 years in Australia terror case

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian court sentenced a Muslim cleric to 15 years jail Tuesday for leading a terrorist cell that planned to bomb a football match in Melbourne in 2005, ending Australia's biggest terrorism trial, local media reported.
The attack, aimed at forcing Australia to withdraw troops from Iraq, did not take place. Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, was sentenced on three charges, receiving 15 years for directing a terrorist group, seven years for being a member of a terrorist group and five years for possessing a CD connected with the planning of a terrorist act.
Benbrika will serve the terms concurrently.
The Victoria state Supreme Court sentenced six other Muslims to jail terms ranging from four to seven-and-a-half years, said local media at the court. Court officials confirmed the seven men were sentenced, but could not immediately release the details. Australia's largest terrorism trial saw 12 men initially charged with planning to attack a grand final football match in Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, attended by 97,000 fans. Seven were convicted in late 2008. more..http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5121SO20090203