Student terrorism trial date set

Mohammed Atif Siddique, 21, from Alva, is charged under the Terrorism Act of 2000 with five offences allegedly carried out over a three year period.

It is alleged he claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda and threatened to become a suicide bomber.

Mr Siddique denies all the charges and is expected to face trial at the High Court in Glasgow on 20 August.

The first charge alleges that between 1 March, 2003, and 13 April, 2006, Mr Siddique possessed articles in circumstances which gave rise to a reasonable suspicion they were connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

'Fear and alarm'

Items named in the allegation include documents containing terrorist propaganda, bomb making instructions, the use of various weapons systems, terrorist and guerrilla tactics, surveillance techniques, suicide and sacrificial operations and terrorist training camps.

The offence is alleged to have happened in Mr Siddique's home, Ibrox Public Library, the Glasgow Metropolitan College and Glasgow Airport.

The second charge alleges he collected items and recorded information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Mr Siddique is accused of committing a breach of the peace and placing students at Glasgow Metropolitan College in a state of fear and alarm by showing them images of suicide bombers and of the murder and beheading of people by terrorists.

It is also alleged he claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda and threatened to become a suicide bomber and carry out acts of terrorism.

These incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1 September, 2003, and 30 September, 2005.

The fourth charge alleges that between 1 September, 2003, and 13 April, 2006, he provided instruction and training in the making or use of firearms and explosives by setting up, managing and controlling three internet web sites.

The fifth charge alleges he distributed or circulated terrorist publications on the web sites to directly or indirectly encourage the preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

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