Terror trial: 'Doctor celebrated when troops killed'
Shiraz Maher, who knew Bilal Abdulla, from their time together in Cambridge in 2004-2005, said the 29-year-old doctor was a devout Muslim whose views were at "the top end of the range".
Abdulla, aged 29, of Glasgow, and University Hospital of North Staffordshire doctor Mohammed Asha, aged 28, of Sunningdale Grove, Chesterton, are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to cause explosions in London and Glasgow last June. They deny the charges.
Mr Maher, who has appeared on Newsnight and written for The Times, told the jury that between 2002 and 2005 he was a member of Islamic organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, which campaigns for a worldwide Islamic government. He said although Abdulla was not a member of the group, he was very knowledgeable of Islamic issues.
The journalist admitted he had celebrated when allied troops were killed in Iraq and said Abdulla's position was similar.
He said: "Abdulla was at the top end of the range regarding Shia Muslims being non-Muslims."
Mr Maher, who resigned from Hizb ut-Tahrir in 2005 and now educates people not to get involved in extremist groups, said they used to meet for prayers and socialise at an Islamic Academy.
He said Abdulla was close to Kafeel Ahmed, who died, aged 28, 33 days after suffering critical burns when a jeep was driven into Glasgow Airport on Saturday, June 30.
Abdulla had the more dominant personality and was the leader of the two, Maher said.
"Bilal's knowledge and his ability to read the Koran gave him more kudos," he said.
Mr Maher told the jury on one occasion he went to Abdulla's flat and heard him make reference to "one of those grisly videos" of allied troops being killed in Iraq as his flatmate was playing a guitar.
He recalled Abdulla saying: "You've got to stop playing and start praying. Otherwise, this is what we do, we slaughter."
Mr Maher said he met Asha once but did not really know him.
Earlier, the court heard some of Abdulla's interviews with police in the days after his arrest.
He said he visited Asha at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on Friday, June 29 last year to repay a £250 loan.
"We did not talk a lot," he said. "He was on call. It is a very busy hospital."
He was asked by prosecutor Mark Heywood: "Did you mention what happened in London?"
Abdulla replied: "He (Asha) said, 'There is something in the news'. Something like that. It was a very quick conversation."
Staff nurse Nikki Smith was on duty on ward 21 – where Asha was a senior house officer – on June 29. In her statement to police, she described Asha as "a good doctor" and "one of the ones you could always rely on for help and advice".
She told the jury she bleeped Asha at 6.15pm and he did not respond, which was unusual for him. However, the court was told it was for a non-urgent job.
The case continues.
