(NCA NewsWire) Extensive phone taps allegedly reveal the leader of a terrorist group plotted to fly the Islamic State flag on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and target international tourists in attacks, a court has heard.
Hamdi Alqudsi, 48, faced the NSW Supreme Court for the second day of his trial on Tuesday to fight the charge of intentionally directing a terrorist organisation preparing to carry out a terrorist act.
Mr Alqudsi denies the charges against him and argues he was not the leader of a terror group.
Crown prosecutor Patricia McDonald SC told the court Alqudsi acted as the leader of an alleged terrorist group known as Shura, which means consultation council in Arabic, between August and December 2014.
