Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (SHP)

Abu Dhabi, Dec 19: Two brothers were handed stringent jail terms in Australia on Tuesday for plotting to bring down a Sydney to Abu Dhabi flight with a bomb carried in a meat grinder.

Australian-Lebanese brothers Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat were convicted of terrorism offences for trying to bomb an Etihad Airways passenger jet in July 2017 under instructions from the Daesh group.

Khaled was sentenced to 40 years with a minimum of 30 years without parole, while Mahmoud was sentenced to 36 years jail and was ordered to serve at least 27.

The meat grinder was to be smuggled inside the luggage of a third, unwitting brother.

Reportedly, a fourth brother was accused of directing the plot from abroad.

The accused disapproved of their brother because of his gambling and drinking habits which they considered brought shame to the family", judge Christine Adamson noted.

After realising the plan was risky, the accused brothers aborted it.

In handing down her sentence, Adamson said the offenders had succeeded in "creating terror" even when no one was hurt.