Vic: Bin Laden video shown in terror court hearing

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2009
Vic: Bin Laden video shown in terror court hearing

MELBOURNE, Aug 18 AAP - A spine-chilling propaganda video depicting Osama Bin Laden
and the head of a young martyr has been shown to the court during the pre-sentence hearing
for a Melbourne terrorist.

Shane Kent, 32, has pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally being a member of
a terrorist organisation between July 2004 and November 2005.

The former forklift driver from Campbellfield in Melbourne's north has also pleaded
guilty to one count of making a document connected with the preparation of a terrorist
act.

Prosecutor Lesley Taylor told the court Kent helped make the propaganda video designed
to encourage others to carry out a terrorist act.

Ms Taylor played the video to the court which featured a voice-over of Arabic words
with a calming water background noise.

Pictures of the head of a young martyr after he had been killed also featured in the movie.

"The Crown says this is an unapologetic video in the cause of violent jihad," Ms Taylor said.

Kent's lawyer John O'Sullivan said his client was a "could've been" terrorist who made
excuses when asked to meet with other members of the group.

"Essentially he is a barracker," he said.

The pre-sentence hearing before Victorian Supreme Court Justice Bernard Bongiorno is continuing.

AAP df/gfr/dep/bwl

KEYWORD: TERROR VIC KENT

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