A TERRORIST `sleeper' who hoarded al-Qaida manuals at his Greater Manchester home has been jailed for nine years.
Father-of-three Omar Altimimi was found guilty of stashing a library of terror manuals and propaganda on a computer at his semi-detached home in Bolton.
Altimimi, 37, of Lansdowne Road, came to live in Britain as an asylum seeker in 2002 and claimed £120,000 from the welfare state to support his wife and children while their case was processed.
But police uncovered his sinister double life when he was arrested on suspicion of fraud and officers found documents with three different identities concealed in his shoe.
Officers uncovered a shocking library of terror - including gory videos of executions - as they raided his home in Bolton. The head of the anti-terrorism unit for Greater Manchester police described Altimimi as `a `sleeper' remaining in the shadows waiting and preparing for action'.
Det Chief Supt Tony Porter said: "We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do but it was clear he had support and links with terrorists across the world."
On Atimimi's computer officers found detailed instructions on how to make bombs, detonators, poison gases and a chart which showed how to set up a British-based terror cell. They also discovered horrific footage which showed and celebrated the execution of westerners and terrorist attacks including 9/11 and 7/7.
His is the first conviction by GMP's new counter terror unit, set up to deal with the increased threat across the country. A security source described it as a `deeply impressive' operation by the force.
A police source said: "Altimimi had contacts with known terrorists across Europe. The chart which showed how to set up a terror cell had been adapted for use in Britain."
Altimimi's links to convicted terrorists were far-reaching. He had stayed in a flat in Rotterdam with Jerome Curtailler, who is in jail for plotting to blow up the American Embassy in Paris. The M.E.N. can reveal that Curtailler's brother is Madrid bomber David Curtailler.
Police searched Altimimi's home and another address on Eastbank Street in Halliwell, Bolton. Officers discovered the phone number of Blackburn car dealer Junade Feroze who was last year imprisoned for 22 years after admitting conspiracy to cause an explosion. Feroze was part of a terror cell headed by al-Qaida `general' Dhiren Barot.
Barot, 34, who was jailed for life last year, recruited Feroze and drew up plans for a series of synchronised attacks in Britain, including an explosion in a basement car park, a dirty bomb, attacks on trains, the hijacking of petrol tankers and the detonation of a bomb under the Thames to flood the Tube system.
Details of Altimimi's link to Feroze were kept from the jury in the Manchester case because it was feared the information could prejudice them against him, preventing a fair trial. The jury was told there was evidence that Altimimi passed £8,000 to Raschid Messoukat who was later convicted of terrorism offences in Europe. Police say the disturbing material found on Altimimi's computer as well as his terror links suggest he was a terrorist `sleeper' caught before he had chance to strike.
Det Chief Supt Porter, added: "We will never know who Altimimi really is. He developed a range of identities which would have allowed him to expand his terrorist activities. He appears to have been a `sleeper'. We will never know exactly what Altimimi was preparing to do. He was a very serious player indeed."
Altimimi was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court of six charges relating to the computer material plus possession of criminal property - £3,000 from the Yemen tourist board.
Police began investigating Altimimi early last year after being called in to look at a fraudulent bank transfer of $54,610 (£27,145) from the Yemeni Tourist Promotion Board to the bank account of one of Altimimi's associates at the Nationwide Building Society in Bolton.
YUSUF Abdullah, 29, also known as Nashwan Gassar, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property - $54,610 - under the Proceeds of Crime act. Bakhtiyar Berwiss, wanted in connection with the bank transfers, absconded while on bail.
The terrorist in our midst
July 05, 2007
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It makes my blood boil to think I have paid towards the welfare benefits this evil man took. I am sick to the back teeth of living in this country! When younger I used to be a liberal with great tolerance. The older I become and the more I see of stuff like this, it is turning me into a different person. I say, don't let any asylum seekers in. If it means that genuine ones are turned away, then that is just too bad. s for the ones that are already here, I say do not give them money unless they work for it. get them doing the jobs that nobody wants in return for their benefits. I have had to work all my life, and I bet if I get too old and sick to work, there will be nothing left for me, despite paying into the system all my life. Ban organised religion. Get rid of Mosques, and get rid of faith schools.
Well done for the authorities catching this evil individual. Sadly, I reckon he is only the tip of the iceberg.
Its sickening to know this person bled 120K from decent British citizens whilst on trial for these disgusting crimes which were against the very people that were prepared to give this man a home. Muslims need to stand together and stamp this out completely or risk idiots like this man permenantly damaging the hard fought social standing and integration they have earned in recent decades within British society.
"Asylum seeker"..and yet true aslyum seekers get deported back to their own living hell..Laws need to be passed to protect true asylum seekers;and send out a message to those who abuse it.You choose to abuse the laws of the country who has welcomed you,double/treble the sentence,you serve it.Then deport.
What the hell is happening to this country, why should this man get £120k in benefits when people British people who have paid into the system all their lives can get nothing when they need it. Whoever decided to give this man that amount of money should be named, shamed and sacked.
This country is a joke....
Mark,Radcliffe.
Pkease tell me how you can check if they are real asylem seekers or not. Even our government cannot confirm this mans real identity never mind what country hes from? stop all immigration into britain and track down all illegal workers ect .cose and secure our borders. or we will be the head office for all terrorists to fight their wars from????????
Ace, I think you misunderstand what the others say. This man, regardless of what he was charged with, came into the country in 2002 and has been able to claim £120,000. It would take me 6-8 years to earn that much through hard graft, so how is an asylum seeker able to get this free of charge without even paying into the Nation Insurance system? Even my OAP father who worked all his life would gag at the fact his state pension is less then what an ayslum seeker gets! This country, back to front as usual. I need to leave and sneak back in and claim ayslum. £120,000 for doing nothing. Mr Altimimi, say 'thank you UK'.
If God is good then can someone tell me why so many attrocities are committed in his name. Nearly all religions can bow their heads in shame for so many evils comitted against others.
Guten Tag
Im in full agreement with you i think you have to prove youve lived in britain at least two generations before you get a penny ..or at least paid into the system for 5 years at the very least .we import theives and villians from all over the globe infact i bet thats the only industry that is on the up in britain (illegal immigration)
Sweden is a popular place for asylum seekers. It is a country that is at least as free as the UK. Apparently chaps called Omar and Abdul and whatnot attack us because they hate freedom. Do you see many reports of terrorist attacks in Sweden? No. Maybe those applying for asylum could be encouraged to go to Scandinavia, and we could pay the Scandinavians for taking them off our hands.
And while we're on the freedom thing, how many posters have had their post mysteriously disappear when it was not so flattering towards muslims? In the Dutch papers you can say what you want about them. Are we really free?
Ace,I'm not paid enough to work out how exactly we check all asylum applications are genuine...Ask your local M.P. perhaps they can help with that enquiry.
Mark,Radcliffe.
Read the post? ive never asked "you" to check anything all i said was how do we check who is who and where they come from? im not asking you to go and check who they are.even the government have problems.
Now that this man has been convicted and sentenced does this mean that his application for asylum was fraudulent and therefore will definately be refused and if so will his wife and children now be deported immediately or will all the do-gooders come out of the woodwork and say that his family are innocent pawns in his game.
The sentance for this parasite is far too leninet, it shud have been more like 25 years, hard labour too. I sincerely hope the powers that be deport him as well, when he has served the sentance in full, and if he has any property/savings, these should be siezed to pay towards, what he has fraudulently claimed in benefits.
Ace,English grammar and punctation can be a funny thing...What one types isnt necessarily how one reads it..my thanks to Guten Tag for that.A missed comma, exclamation mark in the wrong place,it can all lead to a total misunderstanding...but like I said I am not paid enough to work it out..perhaps I was too rhetorical.
Pentest
BUT THEY WONT? Weve seen this happen to many times just look at those afghans who hijacked that plane and held all those hastages in london. they live here now? Bloody stupid britain....And these people know it .unless we get this manic government out things wont change.
the doctors and others in the terrorism epidemic is the tip of the iceberg. i work as an engineer worldwide and I've become acutely aware not only of the lack of competence of the foreign trained engineers but also the narrow anti-west views of many of them. if you're concerned about doctors, be even more wary of the chemical, mechanical and civil engineers who travel freely with multiple passports and have diffuse networks throughout Europe and North America.
Ace mate, while we are on the subject of grammar, etcetera is shortened to etc, not ect. Anyhow, 9 years is not enough for this evil creature unless it is at Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay. Any of his assets should be seized against the 120K extorted and his entire family returned to from whence they came,without delay!
What do you have to do in the UK to receive real punishment.
He would be facing 25 to life if he was convicted in the states.
Ship him and his family out of the country. Life in prison here will be like a holiday camp. Guantano is the place or some little inhabited Island miles from anywhere with no communications whatsoever. Sick to death of his sort this country is overrun wit them Brown get tough now with his sort and the do-gooders!
he has claimed £120,00 sice 2002!! i didn't earn that much from then until now!! disgusting and sickening
120k, that is about the total amount of tax paid over the entire working life of 2 to 3 working class people, a lifetime of graft to keep this parasite nice and cosy while he plots to kill the people that support this THING.
And it will cost even more money to keep him in prison, and we can't deport him because we don't know where he is from...I just can't beleive this sentence not to the THING but to the British people.
Herbert,
Just seen your comments mate and I was not copying. You are spot on and a credit to your Queen & Country.
9 years is a joke ,25 years in an american camp in cube yes we all know the 1 and deport his family to iraq,yes iraq were his sort belong,i dont know what nationality he is like the government dont.
Let bushes troops question him.
I think hed break.
I also think hanging should be brought back,this was an act of treason.
The older generation must turn in their graves when they look at what has become of this country.
This 'man' has claimed £120,000 since 2002! What an absolute joke. He should be deported back to where he's from! But alas.... he'll probably stay in our already over crowded prison system, where we as the 'tax payers' will have to keep the scrounger yet again!
It's about time this government got real and started looking after our own..pensioners...etc People who have been paying into this system for many years and deserve something back! Not these 'people' who come here for the free fare....
AS many as eight people thought to have links with extremists including al Qaeda are working for British police forces, according to reports.
Sources claim MI5 has helped draw up a list of individuals working as officers or civilian staff for a number of forces including the Met.
Enough said?????