US 'mosque plotter' goes on trial

Police retrieved various weapons from Goldstein's home

By Fergal Parkinson BBC correspondent in Tampa

A doctor who police say was planning to bomb Islamic centres in Florida in the days leading up to the first anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington is due to appear in court later on Tuesday.

The FBI are unsure whether Dr Goldstein was part of a group or acting alone

Dr Robert Goldstein, 37, was arrested on Friday after police discovered a huge arsenal of weapons and bombs inside his Tampa home.

He is charged with possessing a destructive device and attempting to use an explosive to damage Islamic centres.

The Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, will hold an emergency meeting with the state's top law enforcement officers later on Tuesday to discuss the plot.

Huge arsenal

The FBI are still not sure whether Dr Goldstein was part of a group or acting alone.

When officers raided his home they found dozens of weapons and explosives, including machine guns, hand grenades and a huge petrol bomb with a timer and wire attached.

They also seized a list of 50 Islamic centres, including schools, that Goldstein planned to attack in the days before the anniversary of the 11 September hijackings.

But leaders of Florida's Muslim community are outraged.

They say the Governor, Jeb Bush, is not doing enough to protect them and are calling for increased security around Islamic centres.