Case had scent of hysteria, says Hilali

A PROMINENT Muslim cleric has protested the innocence of the five Sydney men sentenced yesterday on terrorism charges.

A PROMINENT Muslim cleric has protested the innocence of the five Sydney men sentenced yesterday on terrorism charges, saying the case had the "scent of hysteria" and the potential to damage Australia's international reputation.

Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali, formerly Australia's most senior cleric -- and still the imam of Australia's largest mosque -- said the five convicted terror plotters had "no connection to acts of terror whatsoever".

"I can confirm 100 per cent and I have known these young men for a quarter of a century and I know their thinking and their families, they have no connection to acts of terror whatsoever, and that the system seems to have allowed itself to play the role of God, thinking that they can see through into a person's true intentions," he said.

" I can confirm that if we apply this standard, we would be putting at least half of the population of this country in the dock."

The five were accused of stockpiling explosive chemicals, but Sheik Hilali said many workers and handymen required chemicals for their work.

Sheik Hilali said that like many others, he had also downloaded or collected articles on terrorism,

but this did not turn people into terrorists. "This case is an import of a dangerous disease that hurts Australia's human rights record," Sheik Hilali said.

Asked whether the Muslim community would continue to support the men, he said: "This case will create sympathy for these young men as it provides an issue for people to become concerned about. This type of case does not serve the interests of Australia, this is a repeat of the same mistakes that have been committed by some regimes in some majority Muslim countries."

Sheik Hilali said he hated terrorism and extremism.

"However, this sentence, quite frankly, is very superficial."

The five men, aged between 25 to 44, were found guilty in October of conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist act, or acts, between July 2004 and November 2005. They were ordered to serve sentences ranging from 23 to 28 years in prison.

Welcoming the sentences, NSW Assistant Commissioner Peter Dein, commander of the Counter-Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, said: "This case is telling us a very clear message that we did have terrorists in our midst and the sentencing sends a very clear message to people who are likely to commit terrorist actions in Australia."

Mr Dein urged the public and government agencies to "not become relaxed" on terrorism and to continue to devote considerable resources to terror investigations.

Terrorism expert Clive Williams said the sentences were "appropriate", but did not believe they would be enough to deter similar incidents in the future.