Australia suspect 'had maps'

A man accused of plotting terrorist attacks in Australia possessed maps of the national grid and bomb-making plans before his arrest, a court has heard.

Faheem Khalid Lodhi had also collected photographs of Sydney's defence sites, said prosecutor Richard Maidment.

Mr Lodhi faces nine charges, including preparing for a terrorist act and collecting terrorism-related documents.

The hearing, which started on Tuesday, will determine whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.

If he does, and is found guilty, he could face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Mr Maidment told a hearing at Sydney's Central Local Court on Tuesday that Mr Lodhi had acted in "an apparent official capacity" at a militant training camp in Pakistan in October 2001.

The camp belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, one of many different groups seeking independence in Indian-administered Kashmir, Mr Maidment said.

"The camp specialised in urban warfare," Mr Maidment is quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.

Membership of Lashkar-e-Toiba is banned under Australian anti-terrorism laws.

Mr Lodhi - an architect with dual Australian-Pakistani citizenship - was arrested as part of investigations relating to Frenchman Willie Brigitte.

Mr Brigitte was detained in October 2003 and is currently being questioned by the authorities in Paris about possible connections to al-Qaeda.

After returning to Australia from Pakistan in 2003, Mr Lodhi is thought to have helped Mr Brigitte find a Sydney home, as well as supplying him with a mobile phone registered under a false name, Mr Maidment said.