Aberdeen Terror Accused Cleared Of One Charge

Published 22nd Sep 2015

An Aberden medical student has been cleared of one of the three terrorism charges he faces.

At the High Court in Glasgow prosecutor Richard Goddard withdrew a charge of posting a terrorist message on twitter against 29-year-old Yousif Badri.

It was alleged that on April 16 last year Badri posted on Twitter the phrase: "Whoever feels safe from punishment, misbehaves".

The comment is said to have come from a copy of Inspire magazine - described as being published by the "propaganda wing" of Al-Qaeda.

Yesterday at the close of the Crown case Mr Goddard formally intimated that he was withdrawing the charge.

Badris is still on trial facing two further terrorism charges which he denies.

Judge Lord Turnbull told Badri: "The Crown has withdrawn charge three on the indictment. I now acquit you of that charge."

Badri is accused of being involved in conduct "with the intention of committing acts of terrorism".

The offences are said to have been carried out at two places in Aberdeen -Badri's former flat in Ashgrove Road and in Berryden Retail Park.

Badri's current address in Halifax, West Yorkshire, also features in the alleged offences.

Prosecutors claim that between 2007 and 2013 Badri collected or made a record of information likely to be useful to a person "committing or preparing an act of terrorism". This allegedly included footage of terror attacks as well as instructions on "urban assassinations" and "guerrilla tactics".

A second charge alleges that Badri "with the intention of committing acts of terrorism" engaged in various actions between 2006 and 2013.

Accusations listed in the indictment include a claim he had an "equipment list" for attending a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.

He is also said to have possessed "advice for those involved in conducting terrorist attack planning operations".

The charge further alleges that he had documents, recordings and files containing "extreme ideology".

Badri denies the charges against him.

The trial before judge Lord Turnbull continues.