Three to be sentenced for firebombing Melbourne Mosque

Abdullah Chaarani and Hatim Moukhaiber were found guilty in May of engaging in a terror act by firebombing the Imam Ali Islamic Center at Fawkner in December 2016.

 

Abdullah Chaarani and Hatim Moukhaiber were found guilty in May of engaging in a terror act by firebombing the Imam Ali Islamic Center at Fawkner in December 2016.

Mohamed, the other of the three, and Chaarani were also found guilty of attempting to commit a terrorist act after a failed first attempt to attack the mosque a month earlier.

That pair was also previously convicted for their roles in planning a terror attack for Christmas Day 2016, targeting Melbourne’s Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street station.

The duo said last month they’re sorry for their crimes and reject Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) during a pre-sentence plea hearing but their apology was received with skepticism by Justice Andrew Tinney.

Moukhaiber did not consider himself to be radicalized, his barrister previously claimed.

During the trial, Mohamed and Moukhaiber denied firebombing the mosque while Chaarani admitted he took part but claimed it was an act of protest, not terrorism.

The trio is scheduled to face the Supreme Court of Victoria for sentencing on Wednesday afternoon.