Terrorism ruling 'in due course'

Appeal judges considering the case of the first man in Scotland to be convicted of Islamic terrorism have said they will rule at a later date

Mohammed Atif Siddique, 23, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, is serving a total of eight years in jail.

His original trial heard that he had material on his lap-top linked to al-Qaeda and he had told fellow students he wanted to be a suicide bomber.

A three-day appeal hearing against the conviction has been taking place.

At the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, defence QC Donald Findlay described the Terrorism Acts as "draconian" and advocate depute Derek Ogg QC, for the Crown, admitted that the legislation was "controversial."

The charges followed Siddique's arrest in April 2006 as he waited to board a plane to Pakistan.

After hearing final arguments, Lord Osborne, sitting with Lords Reed and Clarke, said: "We shall give our decision in due course."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Scottish Courts Service
Muslim Association of Britain
Central Scotland Police
Home Office
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites