Albanian Agim Kruezi sentenced to 17 years in prison for preparing terrorist attack in Australia

Agim Kruezi, 25, of Albanian descent, was arrested in the anti-terrorism action in Logan on September 2014, and was convicted of preparing a terrorist attack and preparing for invasion into a foreign state.

Prosecutor Lincoln Crowley told the court that Kruezi was planning to kill random, innocent people in a public space and eventually die as a martyr in that” attack, reports abc.net.au.

“ [Kruez] has shown support for martyrdom, so he believed martyrs go automatically to heaven and believed he would go there immediately”, says Crowley.

Upon arrest, Kruezi was found a loaded semi-automatic weapon, two helmets, two choppers, a letter from DFAT telling him that his passport had been canceled, a copy of a book called “Jid” and a flag of Islamic State attached to the wall of his bedroom, broadcast Koha.net.

A few days before his arrest, Kruezi had bought a metal bottle with 10 liters of gasoline and had gone out to buy glass bottles and corks for the purpose of producing Molotov cocktails.

He had also bought a bow and arrow because he was grieving at the annulment of his passport by Australian authorities when he planned to go to Syria to fight.

There were two videos on Kruezi's laptop as he shot arrows at a styropor model and instructions on how to cut his head.

Meanwhile, Judge Roslyn Atkinson also said she was not convinced that Kruezi no longer had extreme attitudes.

There is no evidence that you have changed positions”, she said. “I see no evidence of remorse. You have also praised your beliefs on the security and lives of people who live and work in this community”, transmits Koha.net.

Kruezi's family stood behind him in court, and cried when they were sentenced.

As he was leaving with cuffs in his hands, they shouted: “I'll see you soon, we'll love you”

Kruezi may be released on parole after 13 years, although the State Government has the possibility of implementing his decision to serve a full sentence.