[hingisundhorsa]

I tried to find where in the article it says anything that might back up "already been convicted of being part of a terrorist cell". The closest I found is where it says: "already in jail for being part of a cell that considered attacking a Territorial Army base in the town.". This sounds a bit like a thought crime to a laymen like me and the verbiage flags my weasel alarm. Also, could you clarify where you're getting the term "nation's infrastructure" because all I saw was: "discussing attacking the town's TA headquarters". If we accuse everyone who's pissed off at the town council / home association and starts talking about blowing them up of terrorism, then we'll need a much bigger prison system.

[andyjohnson0]

TA is the UK Territorial Army, approximately equivalent to the US Reserve Forces or National Guard.

The group were convicted of discussing the idea of driving a bomb under the base's gate attached to a remote controlled car [1]. They didn't actually do it. They also discussed obtaining weapons, but didn't do that either. They did arrange to attend terrorist training camps in Pakistan, but its not clear from the news reports whether they actually travelled there.

EDIT: According to [2] one of the group did go abroad for training.

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22178105

[2] http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/apr/18/four-jailed-toy-ca...

[okamiueru]

That sounds a bit disconcerting. I've discussed things like how to beat airport security, plant bombs to do the most damage, and in general ways to circumvent security measures. It's simply an intellectual curiosity, one even necessary to make things safe, and protect against those who think the same, but with intent of causing harm.

If the discussion alone is the damning part, with disregard to the intent... coupled with some prejudice, and add irrational fear.

Self censorship is what you get.

[Robin_Message]

Just to note, TA is the territorial army, a fully trained reserve branch of the military, so probably reasonable to count as part of the national infrastructure/defence.

I do agree that "considering attacking" does sound slightly weasely and like a thought-crime; hopefully they were seriously considering it.

[aqme28]

Is it still terrorism if you attack the military, rather than civilians?

[vidarh]

Regarding the planned attack on the TA base, he plead guilty to that: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22156243

EDIT: Though as the defence counsel for one of the four pointed out, they remained free for another 7 months after the alleged plans, so it's questionable how likely they were to have been carried out.

[jamedjo]

TA = Army Reserves, not town council / home association!

The article might make it appear they jokingly talked/thought about a bomb, but others make it clear there plans were concrete. It mentions them going to "meet the brothers" at a training camp where duties would include "helping them making the bombs". I think it becomes a crime when it goes from curious learning to definitive plans. They weren't just thinking something socially unacceptable, they were planning to cause harm.

It sounds like they only charged him for this after he gave up the keys he was previously withholding. While I disagree with the power this law gives, its less extreme if its only used when they can prove the password was both covering up a crime and not forgotten. More of a deterrent, and slightly less of a thoughtcrime.

[jtbigwoo]

>> This sounds a bit like a thought crime to a laymen like me and the verbiage flags my weasel alarm.

Conspiracy is a crime, though. A guy can be charged for saying something like, "Let's plan out how we're going to kill my wife. You go buy a gun..." The police don't have to wait until the guy actually kills his wife before arresting him.

[adrianoconnor]

It sounds like some other people in the terrorism case pleaded guilt, and there are even details of the planned attack. Technically a thought crime, but the kind of thought crime you want to stop becoming a 'reality' crime.