Wednesday, February 07, 2007

DAR AL HARB - FRANCE: FRENCH MOSLEM CONVERT ON TRIAL FOR PLOTTING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN AUSTRALIA

French Muslim convert on trial for Australia plot

PARIS (AFP) - A French Muslim convert accused of plotting to attack a Sydney nuclear reactor and strategic targets across Australia goes on trial from Wednesday in Paris on charges of terrorist conspiracy.

Willie Brigitte, a 38-year-old from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, was arrested in Australia in 2003 following a tip-off from the French intelligence services, and deported for immigration offenses.

In French custody since his return, Brigitte faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of "criminal conspiracy in relation with a terrorist enterprise".

Brigitte has been portrayed in Australia as the country's most dangerous al Qaeda link, suspected of plotting destruction on the scale of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

France's top anti-terrorism judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere, who investigated the case, suspects him of setting up a terror cell in Australia on the orders of the Pakistani Islamic extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Its alleged targets included the Pine Gap US electronic intelligence outpost in central Australia, the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney, and military bases across the country.

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Pertinent Links:

1) French Muslim convert on trial for Australia plot

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