Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, was one of seven men who prosecutors accused of planning attacks on major sporting venues and railway lines around the southern city of Melbourne.
The men were convicted last September under legislation introduced in Australia following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
The Victoria State Supreme Court sentenced Mr. Benbrika to 15 years for intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organization, seven years for intentionally being a member of a terrorist organization and five years for possessing a compact disc connected with the preparation of a terrorist act, according to local media who attended the sentencing.
He was ordered to serve the terms concurrently and will not be eligible for parole for at least 12 years.
The other six men received sentences ranging from four to eight years for their participation in the terrorist cell.
Mr. Benbrika and his six followers were arrested in a series of raids in 2005 after authorities who had
intercepted the men’s phone calls found that they had formed a terrorist cell with the intent of pursuing violent jihad.