A British teenager has confessed to a bomb plot surrounding an Elton John concert on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Haroon Syed, 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of preparation of terrorist acts at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales on Thursday (27Apr17).
Syed searched for possible targets for an attack online – they included Elton’s gig in London’s Hyde Park on 11 September last year (16).
He was caught discussing the possible attack online with a British security services officer posing as a fellow extremist, who appeared keen to help him source explosives.
The defendant also searched the internet for information on the Islamic State militant group and previous terrorist attacks. Other possible targets he researched included Buckingham Palace and London’s busy Oxford Street shopping district.
The Elton John concert coincided with the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
Syed admitted that from April to September last year (16) he plotted to obtain materials for a bomb and to stage attacks. Police officers arrested the defendant at his home on 8 September (16).
Judge Michael Topolski QC warned Syed he had committed “a grave offense”, revealing he would consider a life sentence.
He adjourned sentencing until 8 June (17) to allow officials to complete probation and psychiatric reports.
