A terrorism case involving Algerian extremists acc

A terrorism case involving Algerian extremists accused of a plot to smuggle deadly chemicals out of the UK in felt tip pens and baby milk containers collapsed at the Old Bailey today.

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The Crown Prosecution Service was forced to offer no evidence against the three suspected members of the Groupe Islamique Arme (GIA) after a judge ruled that the identity of a source be disclosed to defence barristers.

But Nigel Sweeney, for the prosecution, refused to reveal the highly sensitive material on the grounds that it ‘would have put lives at the risk.

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The Crown had sought a compromise whereby the source would answer questions from the defence through an independent solicitor without his identity being revealed.

But the source declined to do this and the Crown was left to offer no evidence against each of the the three defendants, in respect of two charges of conspiracy to possess articles for suspected terrorist articles.

Sofiane Kebilene and Sofiane Souidi, both 33, and Farid Boukemiche, 29, denied the offences, which are contrary to Section 16A of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989.

But Kebilene and Boukemiche, both of (31) Crane House, Grummant Road, Peckham both admitted a number of charges, including possession of false documentation and Judge Henry Pownall, QC, adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Souidi, of Amina Way, Bermondsey, was cleared of any involvement in the plot.

When Mr Sweeney opened the trial in October 1998 he claimed that Kebilene and Bouckemiche used fraud to raise funds in the UK before dispatching the lethal items to their native country.

He said the terrorist plot was smashed by the combine efforts of the British Security Service and the police.

Mr Sweeney had alleged that the three Algerians, who entered the UK illegally, were each involved in the ‘commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism – terrorism means the use of violence for political ends.

‘They were each of them concerned in obtaining materials including chemicals, radio equipment, manuals and other documents for the purpose of smuggling them from this country to Algeria for use by the GIA in that country in connection with acts of terrorism.

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Boukemiche had four fake identities, while Kebilene had three, to help them embark on scams to fund their aims, Mr Sweeney alleged.

‘The person principally involved in that activity was Kebilene.

He obtained at least 17 different bank cards in his name and the false name Paul Kebilene.

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Altogether he got at least 22 credit or store cards and falsely obtained a bank loan for over pnds stlg 18,000.

‘By the time they were arrested in May 1997 a combination of the bank accounts, credit, store cards and the bank loan had been used to obtain monies, goods and services to the value of something like pnds stlg 100,000,’ Mr Sweeney continued.

Between December 1992 and December 1996 the defendants were said to have made 20 or so purchases ‘including books in connection with military use, a bug hunter, a satellite telephone, commuter equipment, radio equipment, navigation equipment.

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Mr Sweeney also claimed they bought chemicals ‘which could be used for different things, the making of explosives and to poison and kill people.

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‘During the same period there were at least six dispatches of materials from this country including, in October 1996, chemicals and literature – literature about radio equipment, weaponry and explosives – were sent to Algeria hidden in some old stereo equipment.

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That consignment was intercepted and Kebilene and Souidi’s fingerprints were found on some of the items.

The prosecutor said the Security Service operation began in December 1996 and included video surveillance of the mens movements.

‘The Security Service operation included the interception of a second purchase of chemicals in March .

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The deadly chemicals were substituted with harmless substances which were placed back into their containers before delivery to the defendants.

In the early hours of May 22, 1997 police conducted armed raids at various addresses in southeast London including the one at Grummant Road, Peckham used by Kebilene and Boukemiche.

There officers found a number of documents relating to false identities.

It was also said that there were instructions there about ‘the making of explosives and the use of chemicals as poison and modified baby milk tins in which it was hoped to smuggle the articles to Algeria.

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A radio scanner, tuned into a Metropolitan Police channel was also recovered along with a stun gun and correspondence relating to the GIA.

Police went to an address in Amina Way, Bermondsey where Souidi was living and there officers recovered pnds stlg 20,000 in cash, 13,000 French Francs and other smaller amounts of foreign currencies including US Dollars.

Detectives also found the harmless substances placed into the baby milk tins and ‘felt tip pens inside which had been put what the defendants believed were chemicals in order, of course, so they could be smuggled to Algeria in that hidden form.

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Also recovered from the Amina Way address were books relating to guerilla warfare and further literature about explosive, chemicals and radio security equipment.

Boukemiche and Kebilene were also associated with an address in Kinglake Street, Walworth, where further false documents and material about radio controlled detonators and explosives and about the GIA were retrieved.

In interview Kebilene ‘admitted eventually being a member of the GIA and taking part in the various activities alleged including possession of articles intending they would be used by the GIA in Algeria,’ said Mr Sweeney.

‘In other words, say the Crown, they were to be used for acts of political violence.

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Boukemiche admitted he was an ‘unofficial member of the GIA’ when quizzed by detectives.

Souidi was arrested in Bristol in late July, 1997 and admitted knowing his co-defendants but ‘claimed he was innocent of any wrong doing or any knowledge of their wrong doing.

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The jury heard that Kebilene obtained a degree in civil engineering in Algeria and arrived in the UK, living here illegally after November 1991 when his six month visa expired.

He obtained various jobs using fake identities before beginning a computer course at Walworth College during 1994 and 1995.

Boukemiche had admitted possessing a false instrument, namely a fake Italian ID card, and possessing a bogus Italian driving licence with intent to deceive.

Kebilene admitted two charges of obtaining property by deception, including a barclaycard and a pnds stlg 18,000 money transfer from Barclays.

He further admitted two charges of obtaining services by deception and two of possessing a false instrument, namely a fake passport and a false French ID card.

The pair will be sentenced later.

ends

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