Saturday, February 16, 2008

Couple in court over terror pamphlet

Amjad Mahmood, 29, and Shella Roma, 27, are suspected of circulating a document telling others to go abroad and fight jihad.The couple, who have a six-month-old baby, were arrested by counter-terrorist police at their home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, last month.City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard detectives launched an investigation, codenamed Operation Giraffe, after they were contacted by an employee at a printing firm.

Bethan David, prosecuting, said computer equipment at their home as well as a local library had been seized by police.The couple face a joint charge of distributing a terrorist publication between October 10 last year and January 31.

The court was told this is an offence under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.Roma, who wore a white jacket and jeans, spent most the hearing with her head on the shoulder of her partner who works at a restaurant in central Manchester.

The couple spoke only to confirm their names, ages and address during the one-hour hearing which included extended legal argument.Their legal representative said the couple intend to plead not guilty to the single charge.District Judge Timothy Workman released the couple on conditional bail to reappear at the same court on April 8.Mahmood and Roma, who live in Chester Road, Oldham, were charged by police last week.

No comments: