Manchester Evening News : Terror raids men freed

Terror raids men freed

July 17, 2009

A MAN from Manchester and one from Liverpool who the Home Office claimed were a threat to national security have been released from custody without charge.

Sultan Sher and Janus Khan were among 12 men held during raids in the north west of England in April amid an alleged terrorism plot.

The pair, who are in their mid 20s, were detained as the Home Office sought to deport them.

But the "threat to national security" allegation has been dropped, a solicitor for one of the men said.

Groundless

Mohammed Ayub said the pair now have to wear an electronic tag and report to police, while the government seeks to deport them to Pakistan for "visa irregularities".

Mr Ayub said the terrorism allegations against his client are "groundless" and he will oppose the continuing attempts to deport him.

He said: "It beggars belief that the Secretary of State could behave like this. Why was my client held in custody for all this time?

"I wish to state my client is entitled to an unreserved apology and no further action should be taken against him."

Of the remaining men held during the raid, one has joint British and Pakistani citizenship and has been released.

A Home Office spokesman said of the two released men: "These individuals no longer meet the required criteria for detention on the grounds of national security.

"They are currently detained pending removal on immigration grounds but legally we cannot hold them indefinitely."