Men Admit Beheading Plot
Four men have admitted offences linked to a plot to kidnap and murder a Muslim member of the British armed forces. The court heard details of the plan to seize the soldier in Birmingham's Broad Street with the help of drug dealers.
Four men have pleaded guilty over a plot to snatch a British soldier off the streets and behead him "like a pig".
The plan, to be carried out in Birmingham, was to film the victim's ordeal in a lock-up garage and put it on the internet to spread fear within the British forces.
Clockwise from top left: Khan, Gassama, Elasmar and Irfan
Islamist fanatic Parviz Khan, 37, was the ringleader of the gang thwarted by police and MI5 last year.
He admitted the charges at Leicester Crown Court two weeks ago along with three other men - Basiru Gassama, Hamid Elasmar and Mohammed Irfan - who pleaded guilty to offences related to the plot.
But the guilty pleas could not be reported until today - as two other men begin their trial for similar offences.
Amjad Mahmood, 32, denies knowing about Khan's plot.
Zahoor Iqbal, 30, denies possessing a computer disc called Encyclopaedia Jihad, which is believed likely to be useful to a terrorist.
Both men have also pleaded not guilty to helping Khan supply equipment to terrorists in Pakistan.
Prosecutors said that Khan was found with a "shopping list" from terrorist contacts of materials they wanted sent back in the next delivery.
On the list was a laser range-finder, as well as more mundane items such as walkie talkies and waterproof map holders.
"There were widespread leaks about the plot and the jury have been told to disregard them," said Sky News' Midlands correspondent Darren Little.
Speaking from outside the court, he added: "They were told before they were given the details that some of the reporting surrounding the plot had been fanciful and far-fetched.
"The details they have heard this morning have been pretty far-fetched as well."
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