Prosecutors believe two doctors, one from Staffordshire, accused of mounting car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow were motivated by Islam, a court heard.
Bilal Abdulla, (29), and Mohammed Asha (28), are accused of terrorism motivated by “a fundamental form of Islam”, potential jurors were told.
Speaking at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Mackay said jurors must try the men on the facts alone and not on any prejudices, beliefs or personal opinions.
He said the men are charged with conspiring to murder and cause explosions in attacks on London’s West End and Glasgow Airport over two days last summer.
Abdulla, of Glasgow, and Asha, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, deny the offences.
The judge said: “The prosecution case is that both these defendants and a third man called Kafeel Ahmed, who died in the third of these incidents, were terrorists motivated by their belief in a fundamental form of Islam.
“It is essential that the jury that is to try them makes its decisions based solely on the evidence it hears and it is given in this court and not based on any prejudices, beliefs or personal opinions the members of the jury may have.”
Mr Justice Mackay was addressing potential jurors before the case begins today. Members of the public selected for jury service were told the two defendants worked as doctors at several NHS hospitals.
They were told Abdulla worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, outside Glasgow.
Asha worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge; Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli; Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
Potential jurors were told they may not be able to serve if they or a close relative had been treated by either of the doctors or if they knew any of the witnesses in the case.
They were also asked if they had been the victim of a terrorist attack or worked for the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Service, Armed Forces or security services.
The judge said: “It is the prosecution’s case that, as a result of this conspiracy, two attempts were made in June of last year to explode car bombs in the West End of London which, happily, were not successful.
“On the following day there was an unsuccessful attempt to mount a suicide bomb attack on Glasgow Airport.
“These are obviously very serious charges and both defendants deny them.
“It will be the task of the jury which is now to be chosen from among your number to decide whether these charges or any of them are proved.
“It is an important task and a serious task but I also believe that those of you that are selected will find it an interesting case to try.”
Iraqi-born Abdulla was arrested after a burning Jeep was driven into the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport on June 30 last year.
Jordanian Asha, a neurologist, was arrested on the M6 motorway in Cheshire later that day.
Ahmed, 28, died 33 days later from critical burns suffered in the airport attack. He was the driver of the vehicle.
In the early hours of June 29, two Mercedes cars containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were driven into London’s West End.
One was discovered outside the Tiger, Tiger nightclub in Haymarket, causing hundreds of revellers to be evacuated.
The second car, parked in adjoining Cockspur Street, was towed to a nearby car pound. It was made safe later that day.
Both men are accused of conspiring with Ahmed and others unknown to murder and cause explosions.
