UK prosecutor says terror suspect had former PM’s addressOctober 14, 2014 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A man accused of plotting a terrorist attack in Britain had former Prime Minister Tony Blair's address in his car, a prosecutor said Tuesday, Oct 14, during opening arguments in a trial held under contentious conditions of secrecy, the Associated Press reports. Erol Incedal, a 26-year-old Londoner, is accused of preparing a terrorist act and possessing bomb-making instructions. He denies the charges. In opening arguments at a London criminal court, lawyer Richard Whittam said the Blair address might be significant, though prosecutors don't argue that Incedal "had settled on a specific target or a particular methodology" for an attack, according to the AP. He said Incedal may have been planning to attack a "significant" individual or to stage indiscriminate Mumbai-style shootings. As leader, Blair took the UK into the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, a decision that remains widely unpopular in Britain. Whittam said the piece of paper with Blair's address was found in a glasses case in Incedal's car when he was stopped for a traffic offense in September 2013. He said that during the search, police placed a listening device in the car. Incedal was arrested later that year, and prosecutors sought to have the trial held in secret on national security grounds. British judges often impose reporting restrictions while trials are underway, usually to avoid prejudicing future proceedings, and portions of trials have previously been held without media or the public present. But lawyers said an entire secret criminal trial was unprecedented. After a challenge from media organizations, a judge ruled that some sections should be held in public, including part of the prosecution's opening statement and the verdict. Some journalists will be allowed to attend proceedings, but not to report on them as they unfold. A second suspect arrested with Incedal, Mounir Rarmoul-Bouhadjar, has pleaded guilty to possessing a document entitled "bomb making" and will be sentenced at the end of the trial. Related links: Related issues: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |