Brit pleads guilty to inciting terror attack in Germany

LIVERPOOL: A man has admitted buying explosive equipment and inciting a terror attack in Germany.

Fatah Mohammed Abdullah purchased more than 8,000 matches, explosive pre-cursors, fireworks, fuses and a remote control detonator with the intention of assisting Omar Babek and Ahmed Hussein to commit acts of terrorism in Germany, a hearing held over video-link at Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday.

Abdullah, 35, of Arthur’s Hill in Newcastle upon Tyne, pleaded guilty to inciting terrorism overseas and engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to assist others to commit terrorist acts.

According to the charges, between April 9 2018 and December 11 2018 he incited others to commit terror attacks in Germany, including driving a car into a crowd, attacking people with a meat cleaver, and causing an explosion.

He also searched the internet for guides on explosives and tested a remote detonation system, the court heard. The court was told that psychiatric reports would be prepared on Abdullah, who appeared via video-link from HMP Belmarsh in London.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden from Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “Abdullah had taken very real and significant steps to plan an attack. He had purchased vast amounts of matches and fireworks and other component elements to develop an IED.

“He prepared and tested a detonation system in order to show others how to create and use the system to cause an explosion in Germany and cause significant harm to innocent people. While our investigation did not establish the target of a potential attack, Abdullah posed a very real risk. We cannot underestimate the significant harm and loss of life that could have occurred as result of his actions.”

Judge Mr Justice Sweeney adjourned the hearing ahead of sentencing on May 7. He said: “I’m going to proceed on the basis it will be a video hearing of some type or other. In the current situation, where we are going to be in six weeks’ time is not readily available but the likelihood is we will be needing some kind of video system.”