MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's biggest terrorism trial started on Wednesday, with 12 Muslim men charged with being members of an unnamed terrorist organisation planning violent jihad to force Australia to withdraw its troops from Iraq.
The 12 men faced charges of preparing to use explosives orweapons for an undisclosed terrorist act, with the intention ofcoercing a government or intimidating the public, said thecharge sheet in the Victoria state Supreme Court.
The group's spiritual leader, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47,said in a telephone call with another man that a bombing wherethe maximum loss of life could be inflicted, such as atfootball ground, was a suitable suggestion, said theprosecutor.
"The object of such a terrorist act was to advance thecause of what the accused, Benbrika, described as jihad inAllah's cause. By that, he meant a violent form of jihad,"prosecutor Richard Maidment said in a transcript from thecourt.
"Benbrika justified carrying out significant terroristsacts in Australia on the basis that he regarded Australiaas...a land at war," said Maidment.
Australia has about 550 combat troops in Iraq, which itplans to withdraw by about the middle of 2008. Australia alsohas about 1,000 troops in Afghanistan.
Maidment said that Benbrika had told one of the men thatthey should "do a big thing". The man responded "like Spain", areference to the Madrid train bombing in 2004 which killed 191.
Benbrika, who praised al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as a"great man", had told the men that killing women and childrenwas permissible, said the prosecutor.
"KILL A THOUSAND"
"We don't want to just kill one, two or three, if we kill athousand then they will sit up and listen and then they willbring the troops back from Iraq," said Benbrika in oneconversation, according to the prosecutor.
Maidment warned the jury that Islam was not on trial andthat Benbrika's views did not reflect the true views of Muslimsor of any other religious group.
The 12 charged are: Abdul Nacer Benbrika, Fadl Sayadi,Ahmed Raad, Aimen Joud, Abdullah Merhi, Amer Haddara, ShaneKent, Majed Raad, Hany Taha, Shoue Hammoud, Bassam Raad andEzzit Raad.
All have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor said each member of the group had particularskills, with one receiving paramilitary training which includeddemolitions using explosives at an overseas camp in 2001.
Maidment said that during a conversation with an undercoverpolice officer who infiltrated the group, Benbrika asked if hecould be shown how to make explosives using ammonium nitrate.
The undercover officer had told Benbrika he was an expertin removing tree stumps using explosives. "(Benbrika) asked howmuch was required to destroy a house. Benbrika then asked howmuch to destroy a larger building," said Maidment.
Benbrika also asked how to obtain up to 500 kg (1,100 lb)of ammonium nitrate and how much it would cost, he said.
The prosecutor said police seized material, includingliterature on how to make bombs and video tapes with messagesfrom Osama bin Laden and showing beheadings.
More than 25 barristers and solicitors are representing the12 men at the trial, which is expected last for nine months.
(Reporting by Michael Perry; Editing by David Fox)