Jury watches effects of liquid bomb in controlled blast

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 01:02

FOOTAGE of the devastating impact of home-made liquid bombs eight men allegedly plotted to set off on transatlantic airliners, was shown at their trial yesterday.

Protective 12mm thick laminated glass shattered and polyethylene panels surrounding the test were left strewn on the floor following the filmed controlled explosion. Explosives expert Keith Ritchie told Woolwich Crown Court a series of explosives tests were carried out in January this year at the Ministry of Defence's Kent base Fort Halstead.

The replica bombs were made using the same materials as those found dumped in woodland and at the flat in Forest Road, Walthamstow, east London, used by the alleged terrorist cell.

The prosecution claims the gang planned to smuggle their deadly devices in soft drinks bottles such on board passenger jets in August 2006.

The eight British citizens on trial at the maximum security Woolwich Crown Court in east London, are Abdullah Ahmad Ali, 27, Assad Sarwar, 27, Tanvir Hussain, 27, Mohammed Gulzar, 26, Ibrahim Savant, 27, Arafat Khan, 26, Waheed Zaman, 23, and Umar Islam, 29. All are charged with conspiracy to murder and

plotting "to commit an act of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft".

They deny the charges.