Cleric convicted of terror offences

Last Modified: 17 Apr 2008
By: Simon Israel

The outspoken Muslim activist Abu Izzadeen has been found guilty of inciting acts of terrorism overseas, and fundraising for terrorist groups.

The former electrician whose real name is Trevor Brookes, was shown on live television heckling the then Home Secretary John Reid. He was among six men convicted at Kingston Crown Court.

Mr Brookes was arrested over a speech he made at London's Regents Park Mosque in November 2004, just after the Americans began an assualt on Fallujah in Iraq.

Attempts were made to evict Mr Brookes and his followers that night. Eventually the mosque management had to call in the police.

A DVD the defendants had recorded inside and outside the mosque was played to the jury.

It included several extracts of Abu Izzadeen's preaching.

It was only in February 2006 after police raids and arrests in connections with the Danish cartoon protests that the recordings were found.

Among those convicted were two who are already serving sentences for their part in that demonstration.

Outside Kingston Crown Court, their supporters expressed their anger at what they saw was a political trial.