Bomb plotters lose appeal

Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:34am BST

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LONDON (Reuters) - Five men who were jailed for life for plotting al Qaeda-inspired bomb attacks lost appeals against their convictions on Wednesday.

Omar Khyam, Anthony Garcia, Jawad Akbar, Waheed Mahmood and Salahuddin Amin -- were given life sentences in April 2007 after being found guilty of plotting attacks on targets ranging from nightclubs to trains and a shopping centre.

Prosecutors said they planned to use 600 kg (1,300 lb) of ammonium nitrate fertiliser to make bombs in revenge for Britain's support for the United States after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001.

Three judges at London's Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that their convictions should stand.

(Reporting by Kate Kelland; editing by Tim Pearce)

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