A student from Bristol made explosive material and a suicide vest after converting to Islam and then becoming fascinated with the teachings of radical preachers and suicide attacks. This is what a jury at Winchester Crown Court was told today.
When police searched Isa Ibrahim’s one-bedroom flat they found the explosive HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine) in a family assorted biscuit tin in the fridge. Ingredients for the explosive and electrical equipment that could have been used to detonate it were discovered in a cupboard under the kitchen sink.
Hanging on the back of the 19-year-old’s bedroom door was a vest of the sort used by suicide bombers with panels on the front and back. Ibrahim, who changed his first name from Andrew by deed poll after converting to Islam, admits making HMTD. But he denies preparing the substance intending to endanger life or cause serious damage to property and also pleads not guilty to preparing terrorists acts, including carrying out reconnaissance on a possible target.
