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  • now to a verdict in another closely watched court case here in Germany.

  • A notorious Iraqi preacher known as Abu Ala has been found guilty of supporting terrorism and being a member of a terrorist organization.

  • He was viewed as the leader of the so called Islamic state here in Germany.

  • Abuela was accused of radicalizing and recruiting young people in Germany and helping them to travel to Iraq and Syria.

  • He's been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison.

  • The conviction brings an end to a costly high security trial.

  • Our political correspondent Julia Saw Delhi, has been following the latest on this story for us.

  • Hi, Julia.

  • So how significant is this case?

  • It is a new, important case, and it has been an important try.

  • Allow.

  • As you've said, Abu Walla was seen as the point of reference for the Islamic state in Germany and the very important recruiter across Europe.

  • He was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison, which is quite unimportant sentencing.

  • The prosecution had asked for 11.5 years, and, uh, he has been charged and found guilty of being a member of a terrorist organization of aiding, uh, the organization of violent acts and of funding terrorism and his acts have had a serious consequences.

  • Um, people that he has recruited and radicalized here in Germany have traveled to Iraq and Syria, including two twins who traveled to Iraq and killed many people in a suicide attack.

  • And, um, the case has also been linked with a co defendant of above Allah.

  • Hu was said tohave house Anis Amri.

  • He is the terrorists who killed 12 people in the attack against a Christmas market in Berlin in 2000 and six.

  • Although there has been no direct connection with Abu Vala, Um, racing's have been part of his network.

  • At least this has been a pretty complex trial.

  • Julie, It started 3.5 years ago.

  • I mean, how difficult was it to gather evidence against Ebola?

  • It has been hard to find concrete evidence, especially looking at the, um, toughest accusations against.

  • Voila.

  • And the court case has relied, uh, in terms of evidence, mostly on the testimony of two informants.

  • One is a member of the security services who was embedded in the network and collected evidence over the years, and another informant is a former radicalized person who was radicalized by Abu of Allah and who traveled to Syria.

  • And once he came back to Germany, he decided to talk to the security forces and tell what the network created by Abu Walla was all about.

  • What does this case tell us about the Islamist scene here in Germany?

  • How much of a threat does it still pose?

  • Authorities say that the situation is still serious.

  • There is still a serious threat of Islamic terrorism, but it has changed.

  • Compared to the years 2000, 2000 and 12, 2000 and 16.

  • We, uh, now don't anymore.

  • See a clear and widely accepted leader of Islamist factions here in Germany and the situation is evolving now.

  • The major threat is, um, given by individuals who might be inspired by terrorist ideologies.

now to a verdict in another closely watched court case here in Germany.

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