A Muslim cleric and five followers have been convicted of forming an Australian terrorist cell accused of plotting bomb attacks designed to kill thousands.
The jury in Australia's largest terror trial found Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, guilty of being the leader of the cell in Melbourne and five others guilty of being members.
The Victorian Supreme Court heard that Benbrika urged his followers to target football matches or a train station and kill civilians to pressure Australia to withdraw soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.
After a trial lasting more than seven months, a further four suspects were cleared of planning terrorist acts in Melbourne involving the detonation of an explosive or use of weapons.
The jury is yet to deliver verdicts on two other men.
Algerian-born Benbrika showed no emotion as the jury delivered a guilty verdict on charges of intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organisation, which carries a prison term of up to 25 years, and of being a member of the group.
The court was told suggested targets included the 100,000-strong crowd at the 2005 Australian Football League grand final at Melbourne Cricket Ground and the popular Crown Casino during the 2006 Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Remy Ven de Wiel, defending Benbrika, told the court his client was a braggart and did nothing more than talk about jihad, or holy war.
