A Sydney man, suspected of leading the terrorist group Shura, has been accused of plotting to carry out attacks on Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a “not-for-profit member-based organization,” produces the “internationally recognised Mardi Gras Parade and Festival” every year.
48-year-old Hamdi Alqudsi is facing trial after being charged with leading a terrorist organization, ‘Shura’, which prepared to carry out terror attacks on the parade and surrounding locations. According to The West, ‘Shura’ means “consultative council or consultation council” in Arabic.
Alqudsi formed Shura in 2013 when he began recruiting Australians to the Islamic State. He positioned himself as the leader: the “commander of the boys” and “emir of the Shura.” He held meetings at his homes in Revesby and St. Helens Park.
Alqudsi was the first Australian to be convicted on terror charges when, in 2016, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for his part in sending Australians to Syria to help Islamic State fighters.
“On 1 September 2016, Sydneysider Hamdi Alqudsi was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 6 years, for his involvement in assisting seven fighters to travel to the conflict in Syria,” International Crimes Database reads.
“Mr. Alqudsi was convicted by a jury on 12 July 2016 after attempting to argue that he was trying to save lives in Syria. Ultimately, it was found through intercepted communications that he was well aware of what the fighters he helped get to Syria and the Islamic State were doing there.
“Moreover, Judge Adamson acknowledged that he had been a key player in the movement of fighters from Australia to Syria as he linked those who wanted to travel with another fighter who was already there and had joined a jihadi group.”
The group would talk in code, using “soccer matches” or “surgery” to communicate their plans.
“You’re an A-league player. You’ll be an asset for the soccer team,” Crown Prosecutor Patricia McDonald SC repeated in an example.
“I’m going to play. I’ve spoken to the brothers yesterday and they’re going to play as well,” another Shura member wrote.
When passports of multiple Shura members were seized in 2013, Alqudsi sourced $50,000 to travel to Syria, the court heard.
In a discussion with one of his wives, Alqudsi panicked: “These dogs have been taking the passports from the consultative council brothers … They’re closing onto me, babe.”
His passport was confiscated at Sydney International Airport when he attempted to fly to Saudi Arabia and onto Turkey.
Upon sentencing, the group turned their attention to planning domestic terror attacks. Patricia McDonald told the jury that planned attacks included a naval base, the Israeli embassy, courthouses and the Mardi Gras.
“The crown case is once they were frustrated in their initial focus, what occurred over time was refocusing and a focusing on performing, fostering domestic terrorist acts,” she said.
Alqudsi has pleaded not guilty. The trial is likely to last six weeks.
