Four UK terrorists have pleaded guilty to plotting an al-Qaeda inspired bomb attack on various key locations inLondon, particularly the city’s Stock Exchange.
Other targets include Parliament, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the American Embassy and the home of London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Nine men were arrested before Christmas last year inLondon,CardiffandStoke-on-Trent, after the MI5 discovered their plans.
The gang also planned to launch a raid inLondon, mirroring the same raid in Mumbai in 2008, which saw 174 victims killed.
The four of the men, who are not members of the al-Qaeda, pleaded guilty to charges of preparing acts of terrorism.
They were inspired by the ideas of al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed last year inYemenby theUSarm-force.
Prosecutors said that between 1st October and 20th December last year, the defendants researched and obtained material for the proposed attacks and discussed how they would carry them out.
At Woolwich Crown Court, Mohammed Chowdhury, 21, Shah Rahman, 28, Gurukanth Desai, 30 and Abdul Miah, 25, confessed to preparing acts of terrorism, which includes placing explosive devices in toilets at the London Stock Exchange.
Police found a hit list of targets at the home of ringleader Mr Chowdhury in Poplar,East London, which had Boris Johnson address on it.
The other five men admitted to attending planning meetings and fundraising for terrorism.
They also possessed copies of the al Qaueda magazine Inspire, one of which featured an article entitled, “Make a Bomb in The Kitchen of Your Mom,” the AP reported.
A police spokeswoman told reporters the defendants hadn’t made any bombs or set dates for the attacks.
Mr. Chowdhury he will receive 13½ years and Mr. Rahman 12 years, the AP reported.
