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UK frees most 'terrorists'
05/03/2007 22:07 - (SA)
London - More than half of all those arrested in Britain under anti-terrorism legislation since the 9/11 attacks have been released without any charge, official government figures
showed on Monday.
No details were given of the ethnic background of those arrested; but some Muslim groups argue they have come under more pressure since July 2005 bombings on London's transport system by four British Islamists which left 52 people dead.
Senior police officers have said they often have to carry out operations earlier than they would like, leading to some innocent people being arrested.
Home Office data revealed that 1 126 people had been held under security laws between the 9/11 attacks and the end of 2006, with another 40 detained as part of anti-terrorism operations. Of these, 652 were released without charge.
"We are very concerned that this is alienating a very large section of the community," said Massoud Shadjareh, chairperson of the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
Police say they have thwarted at least five major attacks since the London bombings and have warned that up to 30 more could be in the planning stages.
'Murder, explosives and fraud'
The home office figures showed detectives had charged 221 with terrorism-related crimes and another 186 with offences including murder, explosives crimes and fraud.
So far 40 have been convicted under anti-terrorism laws and 180 with other offences, while 98 are on or awaiting trial.
Shadjareh said Prime Minister Tony Blair's government should think twice about changes they are considering making to existing security laws to allow police to detain terrorism suspects for longer than the existing 28 day period.
Ministers are also pondering proposals to let police question suspects after they have been charged with an offence, which is currently not permissible.
- Reuters
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