Ocean
The Living Force
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7714469.stm
Terror accused was 'simple man'
An alleged director of al-Qaeda has been described in court as a simple person who did not even know how a bidet worked.
Habib Ahmed, 28, of Manchester, said he did not understand how his friend could be considered as a high-ranking member of the terrorist organisation.
He told the court he had to explain to Rangzieb Ahmed, 33, that a bidet was not a bath for small people.
Rangzieb Ahmed, no relation to Habib Ahmed, denies directing terrorism.
The pair had been secretly recorded talking about a bidet in a hotel room in Dubai.
Speaking about the conversation, Habib Ahmed said: "Rangzieb is a simple person. How he is accused of being a director of al-Qaeda I do not know."
'Active cell'
Rangzieb Ahmed is the first person to be brought to trial in the UK for directing terrorism, a charge he denies.
The prosecution said he was part of a three-man active service cell which had flown from Pakistan to Dubai via China.
It is alleged they were en route to a "major activity" in South Africa when the unknown foreign mission was aborted after the sudden death of al-Qaeda's number three in December 2005.
Habib Ahmed said he was summoned by Rangzieb Ahmed to fly out from Manchester to Dubai the same month.
"He said he needed to speak urgently but could not talk on the phone because it was of a sensitive nature," he said.
Habib Ahmed said he did not consider as a Rangzieb Ahmed a terrorist, despite him being known for his activities in attempting to secure the independence of the disputed Kashmir region from India.
In Dubai the pair were heard making references to "the company", "work" and "manpower" - all phrases which the prosecution said was code for al-Qaeda activities.
But Habib Ahmed told the jury they were actually talking about Rangzieb's activities in helping to raise cash for the victims of the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake.
Habib Ahmed denies membership of al-Qaeda between January 2002 and September 2006.
He also denies possessing articles and information for terror-related activities, and attending a terror training camp in Pakistan between April 2006 and June 2006.
The trial continues.
Terror accused was 'simple man'
An alleged director of al-Qaeda has been described in court as a simple person who did not even know how a bidet worked.
Habib Ahmed, 28, of Manchester, said he did not understand how his friend could be considered as a high-ranking member of the terrorist organisation.
He told the court he had to explain to Rangzieb Ahmed, 33, that a bidet was not a bath for small people.
Rangzieb Ahmed, no relation to Habib Ahmed, denies directing terrorism.
The pair had been secretly recorded talking about a bidet in a hotel room in Dubai.
Speaking about the conversation, Habib Ahmed said: "Rangzieb is a simple person. How he is accused of being a director of al-Qaeda I do not know."
'Active cell'
Rangzieb Ahmed is the first person to be brought to trial in the UK for directing terrorism, a charge he denies.
The prosecution said he was part of a three-man active service cell which had flown from Pakistan to Dubai via China.
It is alleged they were en route to a "major activity" in South Africa when the unknown foreign mission was aborted after the sudden death of al-Qaeda's number three in December 2005.
Habib Ahmed said he was summoned by Rangzieb Ahmed to fly out from Manchester to Dubai the same month.
"He said he needed to speak urgently but could not talk on the phone because it was of a sensitive nature," he said.
Habib Ahmed said he did not consider as a Rangzieb Ahmed a terrorist, despite him being known for his activities in attempting to secure the independence of the disputed Kashmir region from India.
In Dubai the pair were heard making references to "the company", "work" and "manpower" - all phrases which the prosecution said was code for al-Qaeda activities.
But Habib Ahmed told the jury they were actually talking about Rangzieb's activities in helping to raise cash for the victims of the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake.
Habib Ahmed denies membership of al-Qaeda between January 2002 and September 2006.
He also denies possessing articles and information for terror-related activities, and attending a terror training camp in Pakistan between April 2006 and June 2006.
The trial continues.
