Islamic terrorist begins appeal

An appeal by Scotland's first convicted Islamist terrorist will get under way today.

Mohammed Atif Siddique is appealing against his conviction and sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The British-born Muslim student was jailed for eight years for a string of terrorism offences in October 2007.

Siddique, 23, provided material on bomb-making and threatened to become a suicide bomber.

The shopkeeper's son, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, amassed and distributed terrorist propaganda via websites and provided instructional material about guns and explosives over the internet.

He was convicted of two charges under the Terrorism Act 2000, one under the Terrorism Act 2006 and a breach of the peace.

The jury delivered guilty verdicts at the High Court in Glasgow after a trial lasting 19 days.

Following the sentencing his brother Mohammed Asif Siddique said Siddique had not received a fair trial or sentence.

In October last year a bid for him to be freed on bail pending his appeal was turned down.

On his way in to the High Court in Edinburgh this morning, Siddique's lawyer, Aamer Anwar – surrounded by the student's family and friends – made a short statement.

He said: "Since April 2006 he has maintained his innocence. It has been three long, hard years for him and his family.

"However he is still full of hope and believes in justice."