It's April 19, 2024, 01:52:20 PM
Terror suspect bail 'incredible' Downing Street has expressed "regret" over the decision by judges to release from prison an Algerian man suspected of having terrorist links. The comment came after David Blunkett branded the decision "extraordinary". The detainee, known only as "G", said his detention without trial for more than two years had made him psychotic. The Special Immigration Appeal Commission (SIAC) decided the 35-year-old should be freed on bail and held under house arrest conditions. 'Extraordinary' A spokesman for Tony Blair said: "We regret the decision. "I think it is only three months ago that SIAC said there was indeed reasonable suspicion that the appellant is an international terrorist within the meaning of [anti-terror legislation] and reasonable belief that his presence in the UK is a risk to national security." Speaking on a trip to Birmingham, Mr Blunkett indicated he was prepared to change the law to prevent a repeat of the legal challenge that allowed "G" to be released and placed under house arrest. The home secretary said: "Allowing someone like this out on bail is an extraordinary decision, which puts massive pressure on our anti-terror and security services, and sends a very different signal to the one we have been sending. "I have not called it bonkers, but no doubt other people will." Constant surveillance SIAC agreed with Mr Blunkett that the Algerian was dangerous because of his alleged links with al-Qaeda. However, it argued the risk was manageable if the man was subjected to very strict bail conditions that in effect put him under house arrest. G's BAIL CONDITIONS 'House arrest' does not exist in UK law, instead G faces very strict bail conditions Can only leave home with police escort Contact allowed only with wife, daughter, solicitor or doctor Anyone else must be approved by Home Office in advance Electronic tag must be worn Tag monitoring firm must be phoned five times a day Equipment that can contact outside world - such as computer or mobile phone - banned Existing land line phone removed and replaced with one supplied by authorities Access to home must be given to police, immigration officers and tag monitoring firm He will be under constant surveillance, can only receive Home Office-approved visitors and will not be allowed access to a telephone or the internet. The judges said the man's mental deterioration made it less likely he would become involved in potentially dangerous activity. Mr Blunkett had argued the suspect's mental condition was not serious. But Gareth Pierce, the solicitor acting for "G", accused the home secretary of driving her client to madness. A government source said the decision to release him defied common sense and maintained the man could still pose a threat. At the end of the day the government's job is to protect the state and the people who live in the United Kingdom Andrew Dismore Another prisoner who was held at Belmarsh on suspicion of terrorism has said some of his fellow inmates considered suicide in desperation at being held indefinitely without charge. The former detainee - known as "M" - was released a month ago when judges decided there was no evidence he was linked to terrorism. 'Contempt' He told the Guardian newspaper that being held without charge and without limit of time had made his fellow prisoners "crazy". He claimed Belmarsh could not cope with mental health issues and said the detainees were thinking about suicide even if they had not attempted it. The director of civil rights group Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti said detaining people without trial showed the government had a "terrifying contempt for the rule of law" and was showing a "complete failure to observe the presumption of innocence". But Labour MP Andrew Dismore told Today: "At the end of the day the government's job is to protect the state and the people who live in the United Kingdom ... in the end there are people who are a danger to our country where the evidence can't be presented in court." Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/3651743.stm
Quote from: Don Rizzle on May 10, 2006, 03:16:12 AMiraq would just get annexed by iranThat would be a great solution. If Iran and the majority of Iraqi's are pleased with it, then why shouldn't they do it?
iraq would just get annexed by iran
these people came to Britain, as they did to Canada, the United States and the rest of the free, Christian-based world to escape Islamic states and their harshness. It is the pluralistic openness and decency of Europe and North America that has allowed so many Muslim immigrants. How ironic that a minority of those people hate that very pluralism and decency and want to slaughter women and children in the name of their god and their cause.
Home
Help
Login
Register
Print
