UK charges 9 with plotting terrorism
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
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NINE terror suspects allegedly plotting large-scale attacks against British cities and landmarks were charged yesterday and jailed until their next court appearance set to take place in January.
The men were among a dozen arrested last week in London, Cardiff and Stoke-on-Trent in central England. Three were subsequently released without being charged and five of the original 12 were of -Bangladeshi origin.
The arrests, in the largest British anti-terror raid in two years, came at a time of heightened anxiety about a variety of terror plots in Europe. If the conspiracy turns out to be true, it would also be the latest in a series of major homegrown plots in Britain in the past five years.
Police have not released specific details, but security officials said the nine suspects were planning substantial attacks in Britain.
The suspects are due back in court on January 14 on charges including conspiracy to cause explosions.
Since the 2005 suicide bombing attacks on London's transportation network that killed 52 people, there have been a number of other alleged terror plots in Britain.
In April 2009, 12 men were detained over an alleged al-Qaida bomb plot in Manchester. All were released without charge and ordered to leave Britain. One of them, Abid Naseer, was re-arrested at the request of the United States, which said he was plotting to bomb the New York subway. He is awaiting extradition.
The decision to charge the men alleged to be involved in the latest plot was announced early yesterday.
"I have today advised the police that nine men should be charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism with the intention of either committing acts of terrorism or assisting another to commit such acts," anti-terror prosecutor Sue Hemming said.
Police said the conspiracy started on October 1 and continued until December 20, the day of the arrests.
The men are also accused of preparing for acts of terrorism, downloading and researching materials and methods for acts of terrorism, and carrying out reconnaissance missions and testing incendiary material.
Europe has been the target of numerous terror plots by Islamist militants. The deadliest was the 2004 Madrid train bombings, when shrapnel-filled bombs exploded, killing 191 people and wounding approximately 1,800.
Britain's terror alert level has been set at "severe," the second highest in a five-level scale.
The men were among a dozen arrested last week in London, Cardiff and Stoke-on-Trent in central England. Three were subsequently released without being charged and five of the original 12 were of -Bangladeshi origin.
The arrests, in the largest British anti-terror raid in two years, came at a time of heightened anxiety about a variety of terror plots in Europe. If the conspiracy turns out to be true, it would also be the latest in a series of major homegrown plots in Britain in the past five years.
Police have not released specific details, but security officials said the nine suspects were planning substantial attacks in Britain.
The suspects are due back in court on January 14 on charges including conspiracy to cause explosions.
Since the 2005 suicide bombing attacks on London's transportation network that killed 52 people, there have been a number of other alleged terror plots in Britain.
In April 2009, 12 men were detained over an alleged al-Qaida bomb plot in Manchester. All were released without charge and ordered to leave Britain. One of them, Abid Naseer, was re-arrested at the request of the United States, which said he was plotting to bomb the New York subway. He is awaiting extradition.
The decision to charge the men alleged to be involved in the latest plot was announced early yesterday.
"I have today advised the police that nine men should be charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism with the intention of either committing acts of terrorism or assisting another to commit such acts," anti-terror prosecutor Sue Hemming said.
Police said the conspiracy started on October 1 and continued until December 20, the day of the arrests.
The men are also accused of preparing for acts of terrorism, downloading and researching materials and methods for acts of terrorism, and carrying out reconnaissance missions and testing incendiary material.
Europe has been the target of numerous terror plots by Islamist militants. The deadliest was the 2004 Madrid train bombings, when shrapnel-filled bombs exploded, killing 191 people and wounding approximately 1,800.
Britain's terror alert level has been set at "severe," the second highest in a five-level scale.
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