Australian teacher in court on bomb charges

CANBERRA - An Australian high school teacher appeared in court today charged with planning a terrorist attack after police found a large amount of explosives at his house.

Australian Associated Press said that 53kg of an explosive called powergel was found at the teacher's house in Brisbane.

It quoted police as saying they found four bombs, some embedded with nails and razor blades, and 10 detonators during the raid on Tuesday night.

"Police have accounted for all the explosive that was purchased and therefore believe there is no risk to the community," Queensland police said in a statement.

The 40-year-old teacher did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody until May 26.

"These offences, whilst they're under (the terrorism) legislation, it does not follow that even if he was convicted that he's some sort of terrorist," the teacher's lawyer Andrew Boe told reporters outside the Brisbane Magistrate's Court.

- REUTERS