A BRITISH Airways computer expert has been convicted of plotting to launch a 9/11-style terror attack from the UK.
Rajib Karim, 31, wanted to use his position at the airline to plant a bomb on a plane as part of a conspiracy with Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical preacher.
Among numerous plots to bring the airline to its knees, Karim hoped he could exploit airline strikes to become cabin crew and cause an explosion on a US-bound flight.
In encrypted emails with his brother and terror contacts in the Middle East, he also discussed how he could attack BA computer servers and ground its entire fleet.
The father-of-one was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of four counts of planning terrorism after a jury heard how he was “committed to an extreme jihadist and religious cause” and was “determined to seek martyrdom”. He will be sentenced on march 18.
Colin Gibbs, a counter-terrorism lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), described Karim’s deep determination to plan an attack as “frightening”.
“The most chilling element of this case is probably the fact that Karim tried to enrol as cabin crew,” Mr Gibbs said.
Bearded Karim stood emotionless in the dock as the jury concluded he plotted to blow up an aircraft, shared information of use to al-Awlaki, offered to help financial or disruptive attacks on BA and gained a UK job to exploit terrorist purposes.
The Bangladeshi national, who moved with his wife and son to Newcastle in 2006, had already admitted being involved in the production of a terrorist group’s video, fundraising and volunteering for terror abroad.
Karim, a privately-educated IT expert from a middle-class family in Dhaka, was lured into becoming an avid supporter of the extremist organisation Jammat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) by his younger brother, Tehzeeb.
Karim hid his hatred for Western ways from colleagues by joining a gym, playing football and never airing extreme views.
After gaining a post-graduate job at BA in 2007, Karim held “John le Carré-style” secret meetings with fellow Islamic extremists at Heathrow and, in 2009, began communicating with al-Awlaki from his home.
Jonathan Laidlaw, QC, prosecuting, told the jury Karim was “anxious” to carry out an attack and seek martyrdom.
“Through a terrorist’s eyes”, it was “just about as good a job as could be obtained”, Mr Laidlaw added.
