The jury in the trial of medical student Yousif Badri retired yesterday to consider its verdict.
Badri, who was studying at Aberdeen University, denies two terrorism charges.
The 29-year-old is accused of downloading materials which would be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
He is also charged with possessing images and footage of terrorists training, and making bombs and manufacturing other weapons with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, or in preparation for such acts.
The offences are alleged to have been committed at his then flat in Ashgrove Road and the nearby Berryden Retail Park, as well as his current address in west Halifax, between April 2006 and June 2013.
During his evidence, Badri told the High Court in Glasgow he had downloaded the material as research so he could refute the arguments made by terrorists attempting to promote their cause.
Judge Lord Turnbull told the jury yesterday: “Much of the evidence is what you would call circumstantial.
“There is no evidence of him drawing up plans to target anyone or build terrorist devices, or of him ever being in contact with terrorist groups.
“It is only an offence to download the Al Qaeda material if you don’t have a reasonable excuse.
“If Mr Badri’s explanation is true then he had a reasonable excuse. The fact it was for his own purpose would not make it any less of a reasonable excuse.”
He referred advocate depute Richard Goddard’s closing speech, where he told the jury Badri had been keeping a “big secret” and questioned why – if it was just for research purposes – he had not discussed it with his family and friends.
Lord Turnbull also pointed to defence counsel Murdo McLean QC, who said in his speech Badri “abhors and hates” terrorism, but has an interest in Middle Eastern politics and religion.
The judge told the jury it was up to the prosecution to disprove Badri’s excuse for downloading the extremist material and added: “If you decide that the Crown has not disproved Mr Badri’s excuse then you must acquit.”
He added that if they acquit on the first charge Badri faces, they would also have to acquit on the second charge.