Three British Muslims were jailed for at least 108 years today for plotting to kill thousands by blowing up transatlantic airliners bound for North America using bombs made from liquid explosives.
The suspected al-Qaeda suicide plot, just days from being put into operation according to British detectives, had huge worldwide ramifications leading to tight restrictions on the amount of liquids passengers could take on board aircraft.
At London's top security Woolwich Crown Court, the judge, Justice Richard Henriques, said that had the conspiracy been successful it would "stand alongside the events of September 11, 2001 in history".
The men were all jailed for life. Abdulla Ahmed Ali was given a minimum of 40 years in prison, Assad Sarwar (29) was jailed for at least 36 years and Tanvir Hussain received a minimum term of 32 years, the Press Association reported.
Reuters