A 28-year-old British Bangladeshi man who was cleared of a terror charge after his arrest with a sword near Buckingham Palace in London a few years ago is back in court to face terrorism charges for plotting another attack in the UK.
Bangladesh-born Uber driver Mohiussunnath Chowdhury was motivated by dreams of martyrdom for the cause of Islam and inspired by preachers of hate, prosecutors told Woolwich Crown Court during a trial which opened this week.
“Chowdhury was keen to take part in an attack on a high profile and very public target in the UK," prosecutor Duncan Atkinson told the jury.
"The targets mentioned included Madame Tussauds, the Gay Pride parade and an attack on tourists on a London open-top tour bus. The object was to unleash death and suffering on non-Muslim members of the public who happened to be present, using a firearm, sword and even a van as part of an attack," he said.
The court heard how back in August 2017 Chowdhury escaped prison despite driving a car through police bollards outside Buckingham Palace and having a violent interaction with two police officers as they struggled for control of his samurai sword. A jury at the Old Bailey court in London believed his claim that he had not intended to commit an act of terror and found him not guilty last year.
This time he is on trial alongside his 25-year-old sister Sneha Chowdhury, who is accused of failing to disclose information relating to her brother's alleged attack plans. Both brother and sister were arrested after police stopped their vehicle in Luton in July last year as part of an investigation by Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command.
The trial for both the accused is ongoing and expected to conclude later this month.