AUSSIE TERROR LEADER GETS 15 YEARS JAIL

MELBOURNE, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Australia's first convicted terrorist leader has been jailed for 15 years.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, of the Melbourne suburb of Dallas, who talked
about attacking several Melbourne landmarks, must serve a minimum of 12 years,
the Australian Associated Press reports.

Benbrika, a father of seven, was sentenced on three charges, receiving 15
years for intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organisation,
seven years for intentionally being a member of a terrorist organisation and
five years for possessing a CD connected with the preparation of a terrorist
act.

He will serve the terms concurrently.

Six of Benbrika's followers also received prison terms ranging from four
years to seven-and-a-half years.

In passing sentence, Victorian Supreme Court Judge Bernard Bongiorno said
terrorist acts in modern times were carried out by unskilled fanatics like
Benbrika and there was a need to protect society from criminals like him.
-- BERNAMA