( dpa ) - A 29-year-old man was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail by a court in London Tuesday after he admitted having planned to carry out acts of terrorism in Pakistan. Sohail Qureshi, a qualified dentist, from east London, became the first person to be convicted under a new law covering those found to be "preparing for terrorism."
He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport in October 2006 carrying thousands of pounds in cash, a night sight, medical supplies and computer material for alleged terrorist purposes. At the Old Bailey Criminal Court, prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said Qureshi had planned to fly to Islamabad for a "two- to three-week operation" either in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Waziristan.
The court heard that police intercepted internet traffic in which Qureshi wrote: "Pray that I kill many, brother. Revenge, revenge, revenge." "Sohail Qureshi is a dedicated supporter of Islamist extremism," Sharp told the court.
Qureshi pleaded guilty to preparing for terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, the first time anyone has been convicted under this section.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing an article for a terrorist purpose and possessing a record likely to be useful in terrorism.