Garden Court Chambers defends in Stock Exchange Bomb Plot

Thursday 2 February 2012

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Garden Court barristers have represented three men who had plotted to bomb the London Stock Exchange and other high profile targets in London. All three admitted to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Mohammed Chowdhury, represented by Henry Blaxland QC, and Gurukanth Desai, represented by Rajiv Menon QC, were among four men who had been due to stand trial.

A third defendant, Omar Latif, represented by Hossein Zahir, pleaded guilty to attending meetings with the intention of assisting others to prepare or commit acts of terrorism

A fourth defendant, Usman Khan, represented by Kieran Vaughan as junior counsel, was also due to stand trial on the lesser charge of travelling to and attending operational meetings, fundraising for terrorist training, preparing to travel abroad and assisting others in travelling abroad.

However, after a special hearing in which the men were allowed to hear from the judge what sentences they might receive if convicted, all pleaded guilty.

The prosecution conceded that the men had not intended to maim or kill, but had intended to cause terror and economic disruption.

For more information about the story, read the BBC News report.

Henry Blaxland QC, Rajiv Menon QC, Hossein Zahir and Kieran Vaughan are members of the Garden Court Crime Team, and all are experienced at defending terror charges and other serious offences.

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