A young man admitted in court here yesterday planning to travel to Pakistan to carry out unspecified acts of terorrism, aiming to "kill many."
Sohail Qureshi, 29, was detained at London Heathrow Airport in October 2006, and was found to be carrying thousands of pounds in cash, as well as a night sight, medical supplies and computer material for alleged terrorist purposes.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp told the Old Bailey central criminal court that Qureshi intended to fly to Islamabad for a "two- to three-week operation" either in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or its Waziristan region, on the border between the two countries.
"Pray that I kill many, brother. Revenge, revenge, revenge," wrote Qureshi, according to Internet traffic intercepted by police and released at the court hearing.
"Sohail Qureshi is a dedicated supporter of Islamist extremism," said Sharp, after Qureshi pleaded guilty to preparing for terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, the first conviction under this legal section.
He also admitted possessing an article for a terrorist purpose and possessing a record likely to be useful in terrorism, although the details were not immediately clear.