Australian jihadist conspirators given hefty prison time.

[lionking]

After a long trial five Sydney men were today sentenced of between 23 and 28 years for conspiring to commit a terrorist act.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/five-sydney-terrorists-jailed-20100215-o1fo.html

Each of the offenders, Justice Whealy said, had been driven by a religious zeal, and the fact that it was a conspiracy meant that it took on a life of its own and was more menacing than the individual acts of the participants.
He said that chemicals for bomb making and ammunition had been accumulated in preparation for a terrorist act or acts and he noted that there was "a wide range" of material that had never been recovered and might be available to terrorists in future conspiracies.

Of course, it has not stopped their supporters playing the "discrimination against Muslims" card, nor has any remorse been shown:

During the judge's summing up, some of them smiled and, during breaks in his address, some of them exchanged pleasantries with each other.
After the sentences were pronounced and the judge left the bench, all five broke into smiles.

But, all in all, very good to see that Australian courts are tough on mad men like this.