UK suicide bomber 'misled family'

Omar Sharif told his wife he was going to study in the Middle East

A British man who attempted to detonate a suicide bomb in Israel avoided telling his wife he was leaving her to risk his life, a court has been told.

Omar Sharif had targeted a Tel Aviv bar in April 2003, with a fellow bomber who killed three people.

His wife Tahira Tabassum and two relatives deny charges of failing to disclose information about terrorism.

Her lawyer said Sharif let her believe she would join him in the Middle East, where he said he was going to study.

There was so much turmoil and pressure for him to face his loved one and say he was not coming back Michael Mansfield, QC

Michael Mansfield, QC, told the Old Bailey court on Friday there was a strong indication that Sharif "behaved as some of you may think men often do. When it comes to matters emotional, they do not have the courage.

"He did not have the courage to tell her he was going to risk his life.

"There was so much turmoil and pressure for him to face his loved one and say he was not coming back."

Mrs Tabassum, 28, from Derby, had just given birth when her husband left.

Failed to detonate

"She was planning to join him. He let her believe that was what was going to happen - that she was going to go out," Mr Mansfield said.

Mrs Tabassum told the court she had never discussed suicide bombing with her husband.

Sharif's sister Parveen, 36, and brother Zahid, 37, were also arrested after the suicide bombing.

Parveen is also charged with inciting Omar Sharif to commit an act of terrorism, which she denies.

It was very clear in my mind that suicide is Haram (forbidden), full stop Tahira Tabassum

Sharif's bomb failed to detonate, but fellow bomber Asif Hanif was successful, killing three and injuring more than 60.

Sharif escaped but his body was found floating in the sea 12 days later.

Mr Mansfield said Mrs Tabassum was planning to join her husband and had made lists of things she had to do - including sorting out passports.

"If she knew or believed that Omar had offered himself as a terrorist and was likely not to return, what was she doing wasting her time on that?"

Mrs Tabassum denied having any interest in suicide bombing.

War in Iraq

She said she had written out texts from tapes given to her by a friend which included talk referring to suicide bombing because she had little to do at the time.

She told the court the speaker on the tapes was giving a justification for suicide bombing - but said the arguments had not persuaded her.

She said: "It was very clear in my mind that suicide is Haram (forbidden), full stop.

"It is a major sin in Islam. However you dress it up, it is still the same action."

The court had earlier heard that Sharif may have been heading for Iraq.

Mrs Tabassum said she did not think she had ever talked to her husband about the war in Iraq.

The trial continues.