Terrorist leader who planned to target Mardi Gras learns fate

The leader of an IS-aligned terrorist group who planned a series of ‘horrendous’ attacks on Sydney institutions and landmarks has learned his fate.

A terrorist leader who headed an organisation which was plotting attacks on a series of Sydney landmarks and events including a naval base and the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been jailed for at least 11 years and three months.

Hamdi Alqudsi, 48, was last year found guilty by a jury of directing the activities of a terrorist organisation called “Shura” over a five-month period in 2014.

The former security guard and Woolworths worker on Tuesday morning sat silently as he was sentenced in the Supreme Court - an institution he once planned to bomb.

The court heard he and his fellow members had discussed targeting the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Garden Island naval base at Woolloomooloo, as well as the Supreme Court and the Australian Federal Police having forged a relationship with IS.

Hamdi Alqudsi and his group planned to attack a series of Sydney landmarks. Picture: 7NEWS.

As part of his self-proclaimed position as the group’s leader he and other members pledged allegiance to IS.

The group had formed an intention to send fighters to Syria to join IS, though those plans were disrupted by the AFP and they turned their attention to domestic terrorist acts, Justice Rothman said.

The court heard they communicated with IS about sending an operative to teach them how to make improvised explosive devices.

Justice Rothman said that an overseas IS member had instructed them to kill “unbelievers” as well as giving them the “green light” to attack the Garden Island naval base.

During a meeting at Alqudsi’s backyard, they scrawled on a whiteboard a list of possible targets, Justice Rothman said in his judgment delivered in Parramatta on Tuesday.

Hamdi Alqudsi on Tuesday learned his fate inside the NSW Supreme Court. Picture: 7NEWS.

“I accept that at the time of his arrest and charging, a terrorist act had not been finalised,” Justice Rothman said.

“No target had been finalised and the planning was incomplete.

“Rather the arrest of Mr Alqudsi and other members of the Shura occurred at a time when the planning was in its early stages.”

However, Justice Rothman said the fact their plans had not grown beyond the embryonic stage had more to do with the work of law enforcement than the capacity of them to carry out such an attack.

Alqudsi’s list of possible targets included the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Photo: Roni Bintang/Getty Images.

Alqudsi also planned to attack the Supreme Court on the day as he was facing a hearing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi.

However, Justice Rothman noted the fact their plans had not grown beyond the embryonic stage had more to do with the work of law enforcement rather than the capacity of them to carry out such an attack.

He said that the group, under Alqudsi’s leadership, contemplated targeting innocent civilians and government and military targets which would have led to the loss of life.

The court heard that Alqudsi had previously been convicted of seven counts of giving money or goods to promote a foreign hostile act.

He was eventually sentenced to eight years in jail, with a six-year non-parole period.

And the court heard that his group had planned to target the NSW Supreme Court on a day he was set to face hearing.

“There can be no doubt on the evidence before the court that the conduct was contemplated and would have been catastrophic,” Justice Rothman said.

“An attack on the Garden Island Naval Base would most probably involve loss of life and serious injury to many people.

“An attack on the court targeting, in particular, Australian Federal Police officers was intended to involve serious damage and loss of life.

“An attack on the Mardi Gras, in particular if it occurred by way of an improvised explosive device, for which training was to be received, would have been horrendous and targeted innocent members of the public.”

During a sentence hearing earlier this year, the court heard that Alqudsi had disavowed extremism and had adopted a moderate view of Islam.

However Justice Rothman said he could not be satisfied given Alqudsi had not given evidence.

Alqudsi was sentenced to 15 years in jail, with a non-parole period of 11 years and three months.

With time served, he will be eligible for release in February 2031.