Mother of terror accused makes emotional plea for son to come home

The mother of a Sydney man who has been imprisoned in a Bulgarian jail since September said it breaks her heart to see him in handcuffs.

John Zakhariev, 21, was arrested for allegedly planning to join Jihadi fighters in Syria. He denies the claims.

The dual Australian-Bulgarian citizen told Bulgarian national television that he travelled to Syria in 2012 to help the Syrian people.

But prosecutors maintain he intended to carry out terror attacks and was honing his shooting skills in Bulgaria.

Zakhariev's trial was due to start today, but judges wanted to hear testimony from more witnesses.

His mother Anne Ngo is suffering from stage four cancer.

"I want my son to go back to Australia with me because I'm very sick, I need him next to me please," Ms Ngo said.

Raised as a Christian in Australia, Zakhariev was educated at Waverley College in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

When he left, he converted to Islam.

Today his lawyer confirmed he converted back to Christianity last year.

While Zakhariev is likely to be sentenced by the end of May there could be appeals that may take up to a year.