Suspects appear on terror charge

The suspects first appeared two weeks ago

Seven Algerians who have been charged with offences under the Terrorism Act have made a second appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Strict security was in place as the suspects were brought to the court in three convoys.

The men who are in their twenties and thirties appeared individually in private, with an interpreter present.

All were refused bailed and were committed for trial at the High Court.

Challenge the decision

The seven alleged terrorists were detained almost two weeks ago following raids on addresses in Edinburgh and London.

A lawyer for one of the accused said that an appeal would be started in the New Year to challenge the decision not grant bail.

The seven Algerians are accused of contravening section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

They are Abdellah Abdelhafid, 33, of Burnham Way, West Ealing, west London; Mourad Idir Abes, 27, of Ridgefield Road, Cowley, Oxford; Ghalem Belhadj, 36; Karim Benamghar, 31, of Albion Road, Edinburgh; Salah Moullef, 32, of Albion Road, Edinburgh; Hakim Ziem, 31, of Easter Road, Edinburgh and Sofiane Lahamar Hassim Ziem, 29, of Burnham Way, West Ealing.

The section states: "A person commits an offence if he possesses an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession is for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation of instigation of an act of terrorism."