Trial begins for two men on terror charges
Published Date: 03 November 2008
Two London men are going on trial accused of links to a banned international terrorist group.
Faiz Baluch, of Wembley, and Hyrbyair Marri, from Ealing, are accused of inciting terrorism and murder in Pakistan via links to the Baluchistan Liberation Army.
The men are also charged with possessing a list of people who could be terrorist targets and materials on guerrilla warfare.
Marri faces a further charge of possessing a CS gas canister at his home.
The two were arrested by counter terrorism police during raids at their homes last December.
But the men claim they are peaceful activists calling for the independence of Baluchistan, a troubled province in eastern Pakistan.
They are supported by prominent human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who provided bail security for the men.
Mr Justice Henriques will oversee legal argument and jury selection at Woolwich Crown Court on the first day of a trial expected to last about six weeks. The prosecution is expected to open on Tuesday.
Iranian student Baluch, 26, and Pakistani journalist Marri, a 40-year-old father-of-four, deny the offences.
The Baluchistan Liberation Army was proscribed by the Home Office in July 2006 under the Terrorism Act 2000.
source: http://www.wigantoday.net/latest-london-news/Trial-begins-for-two-men.4654300.jp
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