Pakistani students accuse UK of ill-treatment
By Baqir Sajjad Syed | August 23, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani students arrested in Britain in connection with an alleged terror plot returned home on Saturday after dropping a legal battle against their deportation and accusing British authorities of ill-treatment during detention.
Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan were among the 12 Pakistani students arrested in April during the Operation Pathway.
The British authorities later failed to bring up charges against them, but decided to deport them for being ‘security risk’.
The two students, along with others detained during the terror raids, had appealed against the deportation decision and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission was scheduled to take up their appeal in March next year.
However, Wahab and Shoaib subsequently decided to leave UK voluntarily after a court rejected their plea for bail, while their appeal against deportation was being heard.
Mr Amjad Malik, the lawyer for both students, told reporters on arrival in Islamabad that his clients were frequently strip-searched, subjected to searches by dogs and served contaminated food.
One of the students, Wahab, described his detention as ‘hell’ and said it showed that the British had no concept of justice. The allegations were rejected by the British High Commission as ‘unfounded’.
‘Whilst in detention, these individuals were afforded the full protection of the UK justice system,’ the statement said, adding the UK Government treats all those in detention in UK prisons fairly and humanely, regardless of their nationality, race or religion.
It said except for one complaint by their lawyer on Aug 14 about contaminated food, there were no complaints by any of the detainees.
Speaking particularly about the two students, the British High Commission said: ‘In the case of these individuals one took up the opportunity to take part in an education course; and both used the prison gymnasium, exercised frequently and were free to worship and undertake other activities in accordance with Islamic teachings.’
Showing posts with label Amjad Malik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amjad Malik. Show all posts
Dawn : Pakistani students accuse UK of ill-treatment
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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BBC : Terror raid duo back in Pakistan
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Terror raid duo back in Pakistan
August 22, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot have returned to Pakistan after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, the Home Office has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
It is understood the men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
Both students, who had been Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday.
Abdul Khan said his detention had been "like a hell" and his treatment showed the British authorities "do not know what justice means".
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients should have been freed instead of being held for months.
He said the students would continue to fight their case in Britain and had taken up the issue with Pakistan's interior ministry.
Mr Malik claimed both men had been frequently strip-searched, subjected to "searches by dogs" and served tainted food.
The British High Commission in Pakistan has rejected the allegations as "unfounded".
It said that apart from one incident of allegedly contaminated baked beans, no other complaints had been made during their detention.
"The UK government treats all those in detention in UK prisons fairly and humanely, regardless of their nationality, race or religion," a statement said.
'Visa irregularities'
Twelve students were arrested in the terror raids in Manchester and Liverpool as part of Operation Pathway, with three subsequently released.
The anti-terror operation had to be brought forward after Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Bob Quick, was photographed with a secret document. He subsequently resigned.
The Home Office is attempting to deport two others, Sultan Sher and Janus Khan, on the grounds of visa irregularities after dropping claims that they posed a threat to national security.
Five more, referred to only as VE, UF, ZA, YB and XC, are to appear before Siac for their deportation appeal hearing on March 10.
Evidence passed to the tribunal claimed one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged e-mails with an associate of al-Qaeda.
MI5 analysis also suggested girls' names were used as code for bomb ingredients and that the mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
Lawyers for the men said the emails were innocent and the security services' interpretation of the emails was "far-fetched".
August 22, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot have returned to Pakistan after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, the Home Office has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
It is understood the men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
Both students, who had been Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday.
Abdul Khan said his detention had been "like a hell" and his treatment showed the British authorities "do not know what justice means".
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients should have been freed instead of being held for months.
He said the students would continue to fight their case in Britain and had taken up the issue with Pakistan's interior ministry.
Mr Malik claimed both men had been frequently strip-searched, subjected to "searches by dogs" and served tainted food.
The British High Commission in Pakistan has rejected the allegations as "unfounded".
It said that apart from one incident of allegedly contaminated baked beans, no other complaints had been made during their detention.
"The UK government treats all those in detention in UK prisons fairly and humanely, regardless of their nationality, race or religion," a statement said.
'Visa irregularities'
Twelve students were arrested in the terror raids in Manchester and Liverpool as part of Operation Pathway, with three subsequently released.
The anti-terror operation had to be brought forward after Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Bob Quick, was photographed with a secret document. He subsequently resigned.
The Home Office is attempting to deport two others, Sultan Sher and Janus Khan, on the grounds of visa irregularities after dropping claims that they posed a threat to national security.
Five more, referred to only as VE, UF, ZA, YB and XC, are to appear before Siac for their deportation appeal hearing on March 10.
Evidence passed to the tribunal claimed one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged e-mails with an associate of al-Qaeda.
MI5 analysis also suggested girls' names were used as code for bomb ingredients and that the mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
Lawyers for the men said the emails were innocent and the security services' interpretation of the emails was "far-fetched".
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Times : Pakistani students held in anti-terror raids abandon deportation fight
Friday, August 21, 2009
Pakistani students held in anti-terror raids abandon deportation fight
Andrew Norfolk | August 22, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested during counter-terrorism raids in Manchester and Liverpool were due to fly home last night after giving up their fight against deportation.
Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people — ten of them Pakistanis on student visas — detained in April when the security services claimed to have foiled an al-Qaeda bomb plot.
None of the 12 was charged with a criminal offence. One, a British citizen, was released without charge and a young Afghan man is awaiting deportation for being in Britain illegally.
After their release from police custody, the ten Pakistanis were held in category A prisons pending appeals against the Home Office’s decision to deport them on the grounds of national security.
Last month Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, in their mid-20s, were released after it was accepted that there was no evidence that they were involved in terrorism. They are facing deportation because of visa irregularities.
One of the remaining eight, Tariq ur Rehman, 38, returned voluntarily to Pakistan in June after withdrawing his appeal against deportation. Another man took the same step this week.
They will be joined in Pakistan by the two Khans, who were due to fly to Islamabad yesterday evening, leaving four men in prison pending a hearing before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission next March. They include the so-called ringleader of the group, who allegedly exchanged e-mails with an al-Qaeda associate intercepted by M15. They were said to include coded references to a planned terrorist strike in Britain between April 15 and 20 this year.
The e-mails referred to a forthcoming nikah, an Islamic wedding, which was taken to mean the proposed bomb attack, and mentioned girls’ names thought to represent explosive ingredients. Solicitors for the men say that the e-mails were innocent exchanges about social matters.
The detention without charge of the Pakistanis has created tensions between Britain and Pakistan. When the remaining men’s appeals are heard next March they will have been held in custody or prison for 11 months.
A campaign group, Justice for the North West 10, has fought for their release on bail. Their families in Pakistan say that the men were genuine students. In May The Times revealed that eight of the arrested men were enrolled at a bogus college set up in 2006 as a front for a mass immigration fraud.
The Manchester College of Professional Studies, a converted pub south of the city centre, claimed to have 50 students but had secretly enrolled 1,797. It had two classrooms and three teachers.
Abdul Wahab Khan, from the North West Frontier province, and Shoaib Khan, from Punjab, were on its books. Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said yesterday that they had decided to return to Pakistan after the failure of their bail applications last week.
Mr Malik said that they had been treated at Manchester prison like murderers or rapists.
He demanded an inquiry into their allegations that they had gone on hunger strike after being given meals containing human faeces.
“They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in category A conditions and are strip-searched,” he said.
“They realised that they were going to remain in custody when they haven’t committed any crime.”
“Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid [the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha] with their families in Pakistan.”
Andrew Norfolk | August 22, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested during counter-terrorism raids in Manchester and Liverpool were due to fly home last night after giving up their fight against deportation.
Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people — ten of them Pakistanis on student visas — detained in April when the security services claimed to have foiled an al-Qaeda bomb plot.
None of the 12 was charged with a criminal offence. One, a British citizen, was released without charge and a young Afghan man is awaiting deportation for being in Britain illegally.
After their release from police custody, the ten Pakistanis were held in category A prisons pending appeals against the Home Office’s decision to deport them on the grounds of national security.
Last month Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, in their mid-20s, were released after it was accepted that there was no evidence that they were involved in terrorism. They are facing deportation because of visa irregularities.
One of the remaining eight, Tariq ur Rehman, 38, returned voluntarily to Pakistan in June after withdrawing his appeal against deportation. Another man took the same step this week.
They will be joined in Pakistan by the two Khans, who were due to fly to Islamabad yesterday evening, leaving four men in prison pending a hearing before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission next March. They include the so-called ringleader of the group, who allegedly exchanged e-mails with an al-Qaeda associate intercepted by M15. They were said to include coded references to a planned terrorist strike in Britain between April 15 and 20 this year.
The e-mails referred to a forthcoming nikah, an Islamic wedding, which was taken to mean the proposed bomb attack, and mentioned girls’ names thought to represent explosive ingredients. Solicitors for the men say that the e-mails were innocent exchanges about social matters.
The detention without charge of the Pakistanis has created tensions between Britain and Pakistan. When the remaining men’s appeals are heard next March they will have been held in custody or prison for 11 months.
A campaign group, Justice for the North West 10, has fought for their release on bail. Their families in Pakistan say that the men were genuine students. In May The Times revealed that eight of the arrested men were enrolled at a bogus college set up in 2006 as a front for a mass immigration fraud.
The Manchester College of Professional Studies, a converted pub south of the city centre, claimed to have 50 students but had secretly enrolled 1,797. It had two classrooms and three teachers.
Abdul Wahab Khan, from the North West Frontier province, and Shoaib Khan, from Punjab, were on its books. Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said yesterday that they had decided to return to Pakistan after the failure of their bail applications last week.
Mr Malik said that they had been treated at Manchester prison like murderers or rapists.
He demanded an inquiry into their allegations that they had gone on hunger strike after being given meals containing human faeces.
“They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in category A conditions and are strip-searched,” he said.
“They realised that they were going to remain in custody when they haven’t committed any crime.”
“Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid [the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha] with their families in Pakistan.”
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Europe News : Terror raid students to leave UK
Friday, August 21, 2009
Terror raid students to leave UK
BBC News | August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
The men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation, their solicitor said.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad on Friday night (...)
BBC News | August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
The men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation, their solicitor said.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad on Friday night (...)
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Fleetwood Today : Pakistanis held in terror raids to fly home
Friday, August 21, 2009
Pakistanis held in terror raids to fly home
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested in a major anti-terror operation in the north west are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people arrested by police in April as part of Operation Pathway.
They were never charged but remained in custody as the Home Office attempted to deport them on the grounds they were a threat to national security.
Their appeal against deportation was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in March.
But after they were denied bail last month, the men decided to drop the appeal and return to Pakistan.
Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said the men would leave on a Friday evening flight to Islamabad.
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2009, All Rights Reserved.
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested in a major anti-terror operation in the north west are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people arrested by police in April as part of Operation Pathway.
They were never charged but remained in custody as the Home Office attempted to deport them on the grounds they were a threat to national security.
Their appeal against deportation was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in March.
But after they were denied bail last month, the men decided to drop the appeal and return to Pakistan.
Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said the men would leave on a Friday evening flight to Islamabad.
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2009, All Rights Reserved.
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APP : Two detained Pakistani students returning home Saturday
Friday, August 21, 2009
Two detained Pakistani students returning home Saturday
August 21, 2009
LONDON, Aug 21 (APP)- Two detained Pakistani students would return home Saturday of their own volition after the British authorities agreed to drop deportation charges against them.Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan will leave Manchester by a regular PIA flight (PK 702), which lands in Lahore early Saturday morning, their lawyer Amjad Malik said Friday.
Malik will accompany the pair, who were among ten Pakistani students arrested in a terror raid in April across north west England. As no evidence was found, the charges were dropped but they were handed over to UK Border Agency for deportation.
Last month Special Immigration Appeals Commission turned down their bail applications with the final hearing set for March 10 next year.
Disappointed Wahab and Shoaib then decided to return home voluntarily as they found remaining incarcerated for ten months under unpleasant circumstances difficult.
According to Malik, the two students expressed their unhappiness with the facilities in place in prison and with the approach of Ramazanul Mubarik, they expressed their wish to be with their families and spend Eid with them.
Earlier, another student Tariq-ur-Rehman returned to Pakistan in early June after deportation charges were waived. Two students Janas Khan and Sultan Sher have been released after the Home Office withdrew deportation charges.
August 21, 2009
LONDON, Aug 21 (APP)- Two detained Pakistani students would return home Saturday of their own volition after the British authorities agreed to drop deportation charges against them.Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan will leave Manchester by a regular PIA flight (PK 702), which lands in Lahore early Saturday morning, their lawyer Amjad Malik said Friday.
Malik will accompany the pair, who were among ten Pakistani students arrested in a terror raid in April across north west England. As no evidence was found, the charges were dropped but they were handed over to UK Border Agency for deportation.
Last month Special Immigration Appeals Commission turned down their bail applications with the final hearing set for March 10 next year.
Disappointed Wahab and Shoaib then decided to return home voluntarily as they found remaining incarcerated for ten months under unpleasant circumstances difficult.
According to Malik, the two students expressed their unhappiness with the facilities in place in prison and with the approach of Ramazanul Mubarik, they expressed their wish to be with their families and spend Eid with them.
Earlier, another student Tariq-ur-Rehman returned to Pakistan in early June after deportation charges were waived. Two students Janas Khan and Sultan Sher have been released after the Home Office withdrew deportation charges.
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BBC : Terror raid students to leave UK
Friday, August 21, 2009
Terror raid students to leave UK
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
The men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation, their solicitor said.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad on Friday night.
'Ramadan approaching'
The pair, who are Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, were "devastated" by the decision to deny them bail, he said, and could no longer face further incarceration.
"They realised that they are going to remain in custody for another 10 months when they haven't committed any crime - that amounts to a sentence of three years," Mr Malik said.
"Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid [Muslim festival for the end of the fasting month, due on 20 September] with their families in Pakistan."
He added that the men would be allowed to continue their UK studies from Pakistan.
Abdul Wahab Khan, from Tank, in the North West Frontier, was studying for a masters degree in computer studies at John Moores University in Liverpool.
Shoaib Khan, from Narowal in the Punjab, was taking an accountancy course at Kaplan Financial, which has training centres across the UK.
Mr Malik said the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office, had withdrawn its "intention to deport" orders to allow his two clients to return home.
'Visa irregularities'
Twelve students were arrested in the terror raids in Manchester and Liverpool as part of Operation Pathway, with three subsequently released.
The Home Office is attempting to deport two others, Sultan Sher and Janus Khan, who are in immigration detention, on the grounds of visa irregularities after dropping claims that they posed a threat to national security.
Five more, referred to only as VE, UF, ZA, YB and XC, are to appear before Siac for their deportation appeal hearing on March 10.
Last week, Mr Justice Mitting ruled that Abdul Khan and Shoaib Khan, along with three others who applied for bail, should be held in custody until then.
Evidence passed to the tribunal claimed one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged e-mails with an associate of al-Qaeda.
MI5 analysis also suggested girls' names were used as code for bomb ingredients and that the mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
The Home Office has refused to comment.
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested over an alleged terror plot are to fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor has said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people held by police after raids in north-west England in April, but the pair were never charged.
The Home Office tried to deport them, saying they remained a security threat.
The men decided to leave after being denied bail while appealing against deportation, their solicitor said.
The appeal was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March next year.
The men's solicitor, Amjad Malik, said his clients would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad on Friday night.
'Ramadan approaching'
The pair, who are Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, were "devastated" by the decision to deny them bail, he said, and could no longer face further incarceration.
"They realised that they are going to remain in custody for another 10 months when they haven't committed any crime - that amounts to a sentence of three years," Mr Malik said.
"Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid [Muslim festival for the end of the fasting month, due on 20 September] with their families in Pakistan."
He added that the men would be allowed to continue their UK studies from Pakistan.
Abdul Wahab Khan, from Tank, in the North West Frontier, was studying for a masters degree in computer studies at John Moores University in Liverpool.
Shoaib Khan, from Narowal in the Punjab, was taking an accountancy course at Kaplan Financial, which has training centres across the UK.
Mr Malik said the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office, had withdrawn its "intention to deport" orders to allow his two clients to return home.
'Visa irregularities'
Twelve students were arrested in the terror raids in Manchester and Liverpool as part of Operation Pathway, with three subsequently released.
The Home Office is attempting to deport two others, Sultan Sher and Janus Khan, who are in immigration detention, on the grounds of visa irregularities after dropping claims that they posed a threat to national security.
Five more, referred to only as VE, UF, ZA, YB and XC, are to appear before Siac for their deportation appeal hearing on March 10.
Last week, Mr Justice Mitting ruled that Abdul Khan and Shoaib Khan, along with three others who applied for bail, should be held in custody until then.
Evidence passed to the tribunal claimed one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged e-mails with an associate of al-Qaeda.
MI5 analysis also suggested girls' names were used as code for bomb ingredients and that the mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
The Home Office has refused to comment.
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Asian Image : Students held in terror raids to fly home
Friday, August 21, 2009
Students held in terror raids to fly home
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested in a major anti-terror operation will fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people arrested by police in the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway.
They were never charged but remained in custody as the Home Office attempted to deport them on the grounds that they remained a threat to national security.
Their appeal against deportation was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March.
But after they were denied bail last month, the men decided to drop the appeal and go back to Pakistan.
Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said the men would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad tonight.
Mr Malik said his clients were “devastated” at the decision to deny them bail.
The men, who are Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, could not bear the circumstances of their imprisonment, he said.
Both have been told they will be allowed to continue their studies from Pakistan.
Abdul Wahab Khan, who is from Tank, in the North West Frontier, was studying for a masters degree in computer studies at John Moores University in Liverpool.
Shoaib Khan, from Narowal in the Punjab, was studying for an accountancy qualification at the Kaplan Financial Institute.
He said: “They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in Category A conditions and are strip-searched.
”We are expecting them to stay in Category A conditions for another 10 months.
”They realised that they are going to remain in custody for another 10 months when they haven’t committed any crime - that amounts to a sentence of three years.
”Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid (Muslim festival) with their families in Pakistan.”
He added: “The college establishment have said they will accommodate their education from Pakistan.”
Last week Mr Justice Mitting said the pair, and three others who applied for bail, would be held in custody until the hearing next year.
Evidence passed to the tribunal suggested one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged emails with an al Qaida associate.
Analysis by MI5 suggested references to girls’ names were code for bomb ingredients and mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
Mr Malik said the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office, had withdrawn its “intention to deport” orders to allow the men to return home.
A Home Office spokesman refused to comment.
August 21, 2009
Two Pakistani students arrested in a major anti-terror operation will fly home after deciding to leave the UK voluntarily, their solicitor said.
Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, were among 12 people arrested by police in the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway.
They were never charged but remained in custody as the Home Office attempted to deport them on the grounds that they remained a threat to national security.
Their appeal against deportation was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in March.
But after they were denied bail last month, the men decided to drop the appeal and go back to Pakistan.
Their solicitor, Amjad Malik, said the men would leave on an evening flight to Islamabad tonight.
Mr Malik said his clients were “devastated” at the decision to deny them bail.
The men, who are Category A prisoners at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, could not bear the circumstances of their imprisonment, he said.
Both have been told they will be allowed to continue their studies from Pakistan.
Abdul Wahab Khan, who is from Tank, in the North West Frontier, was studying for a masters degree in computer studies at John Moores University in Liverpool.
Shoaib Khan, from Narowal in the Punjab, was studying for an accountancy qualification at the Kaplan Financial Institute.
He said: “They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in Category A conditions and are strip-searched.
”We are expecting them to stay in Category A conditions for another 10 months.
”They realised that they are going to remain in custody for another 10 months when they haven’t committed any crime - that amounts to a sentence of three years.
”Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid (Muslim festival) with their families in Pakistan.”
He added: “The college establishment have said they will accommodate their education from Pakistan.”
Last week Mr Justice Mitting said the pair, and three others who applied for bail, would be held in custody until the hearing next year.
Evidence passed to the tribunal suggested one of the men, who cannot be identified, exchanged emails with an al Qaida associate.
Analysis by MI5 suggested references to girls’ names were code for bomb ingredients and mention of a wedding hinted at a planned attack.
Mr Malik said the UK Border Agency, part of the Home Office, had withdrawn its “intention to deport” orders to allow the men to return home.
A Home Office spokesman refused to comment.
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Pakistan Times : Bail plea of Pakistani students in UK rejected
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bail plea of Pakistani students in UK rejected
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | July 30, 2009
LONDON (UK): The bail applications moved by incarcerated Pakistani students - detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security - have been refused by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
The Commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail applications of Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all the seven cases.
The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan which were moved Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik were also turned down and as that of Abid Naseer which was submitted on Monday.
The solicitors for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail today but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mitting turned all applications down saying “none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course.”
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti-terror units.After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students - ten of whom hailing from NWFP - were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq-ur-Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | July 30, 2009
LONDON (UK): The bail applications moved by incarcerated Pakistani students - detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security - have been refused by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
The Commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail applications of Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all the seven cases.
The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan which were moved Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik were also turned down and as that of Abid Naseer which was submitted on Monday.
The solicitors for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail today but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mitting turned all applications down saying “none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course.”
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti-terror units.After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students - ten of whom hailing from NWFP - were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq-ur-Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
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Daily Times : Britain refuses bail to Pakistani students
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Britain refuses bail to Pakistani students
APP | Thursday, July 30, 2009
LONDON: The Special Immigration Appeals Commission on Wednesday refused bail applications moved by Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities for "posing a high risk" to the UK national security.
The commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail pleas by Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all seven cases. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan, which were moved on Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik, and that of Abid Naseer – submitted on Monday – were also turned down.
The attorneys for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail on Wednesday but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mitting turned all applications down saying "none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course".
The students were among 12 people arrested last April in a security swoop across north-west England by the British anti-terror units. After three weeks, the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence but the students, 10 of whom hailing from the NWFP, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation. One of them, Tariqur Rehman, returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students – Janas Khan and Sher Khan.
APP | Thursday, July 30, 2009
LONDON: The Special Immigration Appeals Commission on Wednesday refused bail applications moved by Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities for "posing a high risk" to the UK national security.
The commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail pleas by Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all seven cases. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan, which were moved on Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik, and that of Abid Naseer – submitted on Monday – were also turned down.
The attorneys for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail on Wednesday but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mitting turned all applications down saying "none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course".
The students were among 12 people arrested last April in a security swoop across north-west England by the British anti-terror units. After three weeks, the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence but the students, 10 of whom hailing from the NWFP, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation. One of them, Tariqur Rehman, returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students – Janas Khan and Sher Khan.
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Abid Naseer,
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APP : Bail applications of Pakistani students refused
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Bail applications of Pakistani students refused
July 29, 2009
LONDON, July 29 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by incarcerated Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, were refused Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The Commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail applications of Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all seven cases.
The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan which were moved Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik were also turned down and as that of Abid Naseer which was submitted on Monday.
The solicitors for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail today but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mr.Mitting turned all applications down saying “none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course.”
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units. After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom hailing from NWFP, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
July 29, 2009
LONDON, July 29 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by incarcerated Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, were refused Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The Commission at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London heard bail applications of Muhammad Ramazan and Ahmad Faraz in open and secret sessions and refused bail in all seven cases.
The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan which were moved Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik were also turned down and as that of Abid Naseer which was submitted on Monday.
The solicitors for Rizwan Sharif and Muhammad Farooq did not apply for bail today but according to Amjad Malik, Justice Mr.Mitting turned all applications down saying “none admitted to bail and full reasons will be given in due course.”
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units. After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom hailing from NWFP, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
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Justice Mitting,
Shoaib Khan,
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APP : Judgement on Pakistan students bail application reserved
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Judgement on Pakistan students bail application reserved
July 28, 2009
LONDON, July 28 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by two Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, has been reserved till Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan were moved at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik.
A similar application filed by Abid Naseer on Monday was also reserved pending decision later this week.
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units.
After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom came from the Frontier Province, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
July 28, 2009
LONDON, July 28 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by two Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, has been reserved till Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan were moved at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik.
A similar application filed by Abid Naseer on Monday was also reserved pending decision later this week.
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units.
After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom came from the Frontier Province, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
Filed under
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Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
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APP : Judgement on Pakistan students bail application reserved
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Judgement on Pakistan students bail application reserved
July 28, 2009
LONDON, July 28 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by two Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, has been reserved till Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan were moved at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik.
A similar application filed by Abid Naseer on Monday was also reserved pending decision later this week.
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units.
After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom came from the Frontier Province, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
July 28, 2009
LONDON, July 28 (APP)‑The bail applications moved by two Pakistani students, detained by the British authorities on reasons of national security, has been reserved till Wednesday by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The bail applications on behalf of Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan were moved at the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London Tuesday by Barrister Sigbhatullah Kadri and solicitor Amjad Malik.
A similar application filed by Abid Naseer on Monday was also reserved pending decision later this week.
The students were among 12 persons arrested last April in a security swoop across north west England by the British anti‑terror units.
After three weeks, the charges were dropped on lack of evidence but the students, ten of whom came from the Frontier Province, were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One of them Tariq‑ur‑Rehman returned home last month on his own after the British authorities agreed to withdraw deportation charges. The authorities have already released two other students Janas Khan and Sher Khan from detention.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
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LittleAbout : Britain drops deportation orders for Pak students
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Britain drops deportation orders for Pak students
July 18, 2009
London, July 18 - ANI: Britain has withdrawn deportation orders on two of the nine Pakistani students who were detained on national security grounds earlier this year.
Both students, Sultan Sher and Janas Khan belong to the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan and were arrested from Leeds and Milton Keynes respectively.
The students are expected to be released once authorities complete the legal formalities, The Nation reports.
Students attorney said that the officials would now go through the usual immigration process, and if their visas are found legal and valid, they will be allowed to continue their study in Britain.
It may be noted that 12 students were arrested in simultaneous raids across Britain in April. Ten out of the 12 taken into custody were Pakistanis, who had came to Britain on students visa.
However, after three weeks of intense interrogation all charges against the students were dropped due to lack of evidence. They were then handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
Meanwhile, two students Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan, Amjad Malik have applied for further bail before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Their bail plea would be heard on July 27. - ANI
July 18, 2009
London, July 18 - ANI: Britain has withdrawn deportation orders on two of the nine Pakistani students who were detained on national security grounds earlier this year.
Both students, Sultan Sher and Janas Khan belong to the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan and were arrested from Leeds and Milton Keynes respectively.
The students are expected to be released once authorities complete the legal formalities, The Nation reports.
Students attorney said that the officials would now go through the usual immigration process, and if their visas are found legal and valid, they will be allowed to continue their study in Britain.
It may be noted that 12 students were arrested in simultaneous raids across Britain in April. Ten out of the 12 taken into custody were Pakistanis, who had came to Britain on students visa.
However, after three weeks of intense interrogation all charges against the students were dropped due to lack of evidence. They were then handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
Meanwhile, two students Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan, Amjad Malik have applied for further bail before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Their bail plea would be heard on July 27. - ANI
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APP : British authorities withdraw deportation orders on Pak students
Friday, July 17, 2009
British authorities withdraw deportation orders on Pak students
July 17, 2009
LONDON, July 17 (APP)-The British authorities have decided to withdraw deportation orders on two of the nine Pakistani students detained on national security grounds. The students Sultan Sher and Janas Khan who both belong to NWFP, and detained in Leeds and Milton Keynes respectively, are expected to be released later on Friday after the completion of the normal process.
According to their lawyer, the students are now expected to be dealt with the usual immigration process and if their visas are found to be valid will be allowed to stay in the UK to continue their studies.
On April 8 this year, Manchester based police arrested 12 men in parallel raids at 10 addresses across Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire.
Ten of those arrested were Pakistan-born nationals on student visas and one a UK-born British national. After three weeks, the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, but they were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One student Tariq-ur-Rehman returned home voluntarily last month on the condition that the British authorities withdraw deportation orders.
Meanwhile, Amjad Malik, lawyer representing two students Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan has applied for further bail before Special Immigration Appeals Commission which is due for hearing here on July 27.
July 17, 2009
LONDON, July 17 (APP)-The British authorities have decided to withdraw deportation orders on two of the nine Pakistani students detained on national security grounds. The students Sultan Sher and Janas Khan who both belong to NWFP, and detained in Leeds and Milton Keynes respectively, are expected to be released later on Friday after the completion of the normal process.
According to their lawyer, the students are now expected to be dealt with the usual immigration process and if their visas are found to be valid will be allowed to stay in the UK to continue their studies.
On April 8 this year, Manchester based police arrested 12 men in parallel raids at 10 addresses across Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire.
Ten of those arrested were Pakistan-born nationals on student visas and one a UK-born British national. After three weeks, the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, but they were handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation.
One student Tariq-ur-Rehman returned home voluntarily last month on the condition that the British authorities withdraw deportation orders.
Meanwhile, Amjad Malik, lawyer representing two students Abdul Wahab Khan and Shoaib Khan has applied for further bail before Special Immigration Appeals Commission which is due for hearing here on July 27.
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Amjad Malik,
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Pakistan Times : Detained student decides to leave Britain voluntarily
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Detained student decides to leave Britain voluntarily
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | May 31, 2009
LONDON (UK): Accepting the offer from the British Home Secretary to leave the UK voluntarily on the condition that the deportation order against him is withdrawn, a detained Pakistani student Tariq-ur-Rehman is likely to return home next week.
His lawyer Amjad Malik said on Saturday that he would meeting with the concerned British officials on Monday to finalise the arrangements whereby Tariq is flown home by Wednesday from Manchester where is currently detained.
“The British authorities have offered him a one way ticket to Pakistan and there are some other legal matters that would come under discussion at the meeting,” Malik said. The Miran Shah-based student has decided to accept the offer to leave the UK of his own volition in view of the family matters and can no longer afford to remain under detention, he said.
“Rahman has lost his mother and wife and has five children to look after therefore he has decided to accept the Home Secretary offer.”
Meanwhile, an independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation Lord Alex Carlyle has met three Pakistani students Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq Ur Rehman in appeal before Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lord Carlyle, who is a member of British Parliament Upper House reports on terrorism legislation as a monitor to improve its operation and is currently reviewing Operation Pathway conducted between April 8 to 21 that led to the arrest of 12 persons including 10 Pakistani students on terror charges which were subsequent dropped due to lack of evidence.
All students raised high handedness of Liverpool police who used armed response unit to arrest them during which few students sustained injuries and bruises, said lawyer Malik. According to him, they raised issues on their treatment and and questioned the wisdom as to why they are being deported when no charges were made.
Lord Carlyle earlier had a detailed meeting with Malik at his Rochdale Chamber who briefed him about students plight and their concerns. Malik also highlighted the legal lacuna that all detained under terrorism legislation must be afforded an opportunity to make a bail application after 7 days of their arrest.
Both Malik and Lord Carlyle also met Prison Governor Richard Vince and were assured that as these detainees are not criminals facing trial, they are being provided best facilities as possible including prayer time, 3 free times, halal food and leisure and training facilities.
Lord Carlyle assured the lawyer and the detainees that he will raise all these issues in his independent report and also will contact higher officials to relax some conditions regarding books and telephone access to their families forthwith.
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | May 31, 2009
LONDON (UK): Accepting the offer from the British Home Secretary to leave the UK voluntarily on the condition that the deportation order against him is withdrawn, a detained Pakistani student Tariq-ur-Rehman is likely to return home next week.
His lawyer Amjad Malik said on Saturday that he would meeting with the concerned British officials on Monday to finalise the arrangements whereby Tariq is flown home by Wednesday from Manchester where is currently detained.
“The British authorities have offered him a one way ticket to Pakistan and there are some other legal matters that would come under discussion at the meeting,” Malik said. The Miran Shah-based student has decided to accept the offer to leave the UK of his own volition in view of the family matters and can no longer afford to remain under detention, he said.
“Rahman has lost his mother and wife and has five children to look after therefore he has decided to accept the Home Secretary offer.”
Meanwhile, an independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation Lord Alex Carlyle has met three Pakistani students Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq Ur Rehman in appeal before Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lord Carlyle, who is a member of British Parliament Upper House reports on terrorism legislation as a monitor to improve its operation and is currently reviewing Operation Pathway conducted between April 8 to 21 that led to the arrest of 12 persons including 10 Pakistani students on terror charges which were subsequent dropped due to lack of evidence.
All students raised high handedness of Liverpool police who used armed response unit to arrest them during which few students sustained injuries and bruises, said lawyer Malik. According to him, they raised issues on their treatment and and questioned the wisdom as to why they are being deported when no charges were made.
Lord Carlyle earlier had a detailed meeting with Malik at his Rochdale Chamber who briefed him about students plight and their concerns. Malik also highlighted the legal lacuna that all detained under terrorism legislation must be afforded an opportunity to make a bail application after 7 days of their arrest.
Both Malik and Lord Carlyle also met Prison Governor Richard Vince and were assured that as these detainees are not criminals facing trial, they are being provided best facilities as possible including prayer time, 3 free times, halal food and leisure and training facilities.
Lord Carlyle assured the lawyer and the detainees that he will raise all these issues in his independent report and also will contact higher officials to relax some conditions regarding books and telephone access to their families forthwith.
Filed under
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Muslim News : Apologise for terror arrests Labour MP tells Govt
Friday, May 29, 2009
Apologise for terror arrests Labour MP tells Govt
By Elham Asaad Buaras and Ahmed J Versi | May 29, 2009
Labour MP for Glasgow Central, Mohammad Sarwar, has asked the Government to apologise for its part in the recent high-profile arrests of innocent Muslim students under anti-terror laws on April 8. The case against 12 men involved in what Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, called a “major terrorist plot” amounted to no more than an email and a few telephone conversations, it emerged; all the men were subsequently released without charge on April 22.
Eleven Pakistani students and one British man were freed after extensive searches of 14 properties in north-west England failed to locate any evidence of terrorist activity.
However, nine of the men are due to be deported after being handed over to the UK Border Agency. A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said, “We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security. Where a foreign national poses a threat to the country we will seek to exclude or deport them where appropriate.”
Sarwar, who issued an Early Day Motion on the subject, urged the Government to apologise over the arrests. He told The Muslim News, “High profile arrests give a bad name to not only those who were arrested but to the whole Pakistani community as well. There is no evidence that they were involved in any terrorist activities. The Government should do the right thing and apologise to the young people who were arrested.” “What has disturbed me in this case is that after they were released without charge, they were handed over to the UK Borders Agency so that they can be deported to Pakistan. This is an unfair treatment to these young people. People and political leaders in Pakistan are very angry and very unhappy with the whole scenario and feel very strongly that they are marginalised and given a bad name,” said Sarwar
Lawyers say the deportation orders are based on their clients being involved in extremist activity and therefore their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good on the grounds of National Security. Lawyers are calling for an independent inquiry into Operation Pathway.
Councillor Afzal Khan who was briefed by the police shortly before the release of the Pakistani nationals, told The Muslim News he was “deeply concerned” by the arrests and the way the arrests were made. “Too many times the police are getting wrong. This affects public confidence in the police and adversely affecting intercommunity relationships. So it is vital for an independent inquiry into the arrests so that lessons are learnt,” said Khan, in whose area some of the suspects were arrested.
Muslim Council of Britain spokesman, Inayat Bunglawala, said the Prime Minister’s comments on the arrests had been prejudicial and premature. “These arrests took place in very dramatic circumstances with students being pulled from universities and thrown to the floor. Instead of releasing them with good grace and making clear a mistake has been made the Government is seeking to deport them citing a very vague national security threat.”
The operation was launched after the interception of telephone calls and emails which pointed towards a bombing campaign by al-Qa’ida. A senior Pakistani official said the British authorities had failed to consult them before carrying out the arrests and greater co-operation would have avoided “embarrassing mistakes” for the British Government.
Mohammed Ayub, lawyer of three of the young men wrongfully arrested, told The Muslim News his clients who were arrested with “no evidence of any wrongdoing” and in “a blaze of publicity” deserve to have their name cleared “by a similar amount of publicity”.
He added, “Our clients have no criminal history, they were here lawfully on student visas and all were pursuing their studies and working part-time.
“Their arrest and detention has been a very serious breach of their human rights. Now, adding insult to injury, attempts are being made to deport them. We intend to challenge the deportation orders and, if necessary, will take our fight to the highest courts.”
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, in charge of the raids for Greater Manchester Police, said, “The operations the GMP and North West Counter Terrorism Unit carry out have one objective to protect the public. They are not targeted at any particular groups or communities.”
However, Amjad Malik, representing three of the men arrested told The Muslim News the threat of deportation was nothing more than a face saving exercise based on “stereotyping and Islamophobia”.
“That allegation of involving ‘Islamic extremist activity’ is vague and too farfetched and requires a definition by courts as to what is classed as ‘extremist activity’ as to some reading prayer, fasting, keeping a beard, going on Blogs, sharing flat, arranging meals could be an Islamic extremist activity…to the appellants it’s stereotyping and Islamophobia.”
He added that had there been “any extreme element of suspicion and evidence, they would have been charged and brought before a court of law to face trial. However, using immigration process seems an ‘eye wash’ to divert attention from their ‘innocence’ and claims of ‘foiling a big terrorist plot’.”
Labour MP for Glasgow Central Mohammad Sarwar and Perry Bar MP Khalid Mahmood warned the government against removing the men whom it has failed to charge.
In a letter to Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, the MPs said the raids and deportation would inflict “irreparable damage” to race relations. Efforts to win the “hearts and minds” of British Muslims had been undermined by the raids, they said.
The British Government has rejected the appeal, suggesting that all had been freed only because of a lack of evidence. “The reason we are taking deportation action is that we considered that there is sufficient evidence to believe the particular individuals concerned represent a threat to the national security of this country but against whom we’ve been advised that we can’t bring charges,” Smith said.
“We are able to seek deportation as the criteria we must meet are set at a lower threshold than those in a prosecution,” she said in a copy of the letter to Sarwar obtained by The Muslim News. The arrests were made on “credible intelligence to suggest there was an imminent threat,” she insisted.
The MPs said they had been urged to intervene by members of the Pakistani community. The decision to seek their deportation also provoked a diplomatic row with Pakistan, highlighted when President Asif Ali Zardari pulled out of a joint press conference with Brown during a visit to Islamabad at the end of April.
The students are appealing against their deportation orders to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the country’s most secret court that was established after the Government lost a case at the European Human Rights Court in 1996.
On May 14, the court refused bail on the basis that they are deemed “high risk” to national security as submitted by the Secretary of State. The next hearing is on July 27. The whole arrests saga is currently being separately investigated by the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile, whose findings are due in the next few weeks.
By Elham Asaad Buaras and Ahmed J Versi | May 29, 2009
Labour MP for Glasgow Central, Mohammad Sarwar, has asked the Government to apologise for its part in the recent high-profile arrests of innocent Muslim students under anti-terror laws on April 8. The case against 12 men involved in what Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, called a “major terrorist plot” amounted to no more than an email and a few telephone conversations, it emerged; all the men were subsequently released without charge on April 22.
Eleven Pakistani students and one British man were freed after extensive searches of 14 properties in north-west England failed to locate any evidence of terrorist activity.
However, nine of the men are due to be deported after being handed over to the UK Border Agency. A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said, “We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security. Where a foreign national poses a threat to the country we will seek to exclude or deport them where appropriate.”
Sarwar, who issued an Early Day Motion on the subject, urged the Government to apologise over the arrests. He told The Muslim News, “High profile arrests give a bad name to not only those who were arrested but to the whole Pakistani community as well. There is no evidence that they were involved in any terrorist activities. The Government should do the right thing and apologise to the young people who were arrested.” “What has disturbed me in this case is that after they were released without charge, they were handed over to the UK Borders Agency so that they can be deported to Pakistan. This is an unfair treatment to these young people. People and political leaders in Pakistan are very angry and very unhappy with the whole scenario and feel very strongly that they are marginalised and given a bad name,” said Sarwar
Lawyers say the deportation orders are based on their clients being involved in extremist activity and therefore their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good on the grounds of National Security. Lawyers are calling for an independent inquiry into Operation Pathway.
Councillor Afzal Khan who was briefed by the police shortly before the release of the Pakistani nationals, told The Muslim News he was “deeply concerned” by the arrests and the way the arrests were made. “Too many times the police are getting wrong. This affects public confidence in the police and adversely affecting intercommunity relationships. So it is vital for an independent inquiry into the arrests so that lessons are learnt,” said Khan, in whose area some of the suspects were arrested.
Muslim Council of Britain spokesman, Inayat Bunglawala, said the Prime Minister’s comments on the arrests had been prejudicial and premature. “These arrests took place in very dramatic circumstances with students being pulled from universities and thrown to the floor. Instead of releasing them with good grace and making clear a mistake has been made the Government is seeking to deport them citing a very vague national security threat.”
The operation was launched after the interception of telephone calls and emails which pointed towards a bombing campaign by al-Qa’ida. A senior Pakistani official said the British authorities had failed to consult them before carrying out the arrests and greater co-operation would have avoided “embarrassing mistakes” for the British Government.
Mohammed Ayub, lawyer of three of the young men wrongfully arrested, told The Muslim News his clients who were arrested with “no evidence of any wrongdoing” and in “a blaze of publicity” deserve to have their name cleared “by a similar amount of publicity”.
He added, “Our clients have no criminal history, they were here lawfully on student visas and all were pursuing their studies and working part-time.
“Their arrest and detention has been a very serious breach of their human rights. Now, adding insult to injury, attempts are being made to deport them. We intend to challenge the deportation orders and, if necessary, will take our fight to the highest courts.”
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, in charge of the raids for Greater Manchester Police, said, “The operations the GMP and North West Counter Terrorism Unit carry out have one objective to protect the public. They are not targeted at any particular groups or communities.”
However, Amjad Malik, representing three of the men arrested told The Muslim News the threat of deportation was nothing more than a face saving exercise based on “stereotyping and Islamophobia”.
“That allegation of involving ‘Islamic extremist activity’ is vague and too farfetched and requires a definition by courts as to what is classed as ‘extremist activity’ as to some reading prayer, fasting, keeping a beard, going on Blogs, sharing flat, arranging meals could be an Islamic extremist activity…to the appellants it’s stereotyping and Islamophobia.”
He added that had there been “any extreme element of suspicion and evidence, they would have been charged and brought before a court of law to face trial. However, using immigration process seems an ‘eye wash’ to divert attention from their ‘innocence’ and claims of ‘foiling a big terrorist plot’.”
Labour MP for Glasgow Central Mohammad Sarwar and Perry Bar MP Khalid Mahmood warned the government against removing the men whom it has failed to charge.
In a letter to Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, the MPs said the raids and deportation would inflict “irreparable damage” to race relations. Efforts to win the “hearts and minds” of British Muslims had been undermined by the raids, they said.
The British Government has rejected the appeal, suggesting that all had been freed only because of a lack of evidence. “The reason we are taking deportation action is that we considered that there is sufficient evidence to believe the particular individuals concerned represent a threat to the national security of this country but against whom we’ve been advised that we can’t bring charges,” Smith said.
“We are able to seek deportation as the criteria we must meet are set at a lower threshold than those in a prosecution,” she said in a copy of the letter to Sarwar obtained by The Muslim News. The arrests were made on “credible intelligence to suggest there was an imminent threat,” she insisted.
The MPs said they had been urged to intervene by members of the Pakistani community. The decision to seek their deportation also provoked a diplomatic row with Pakistan, highlighted when President Asif Ali Zardari pulled out of a joint press conference with Brown during a visit to Islamabad at the end of April.
The students are appealing against their deportation orders to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the country’s most secret court that was established after the Government lost a case at the European Human Rights Court in 1996.
On May 14, the court refused bail on the basis that they are deemed “high risk” to national security as submitted by the Secretary of State. The next hearing is on July 27. The whole arrests saga is currently being separately investigated by the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile, whose findings are due in the next few weeks.
Filed under
Amjad Malik,
bomb,
email,
Manchester
by Winter Patriot
on Friday, May 29, 2009 |
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TeleText : Terror raid student 'trapped'
Monday, May 18, 2009
Terror raid student 'trapped'
May 18, 2009
A student detained pending deportation after being arrested in the North West but not charged over a suspected terror plot is trapped, his lawyer said.
Tariq ur Rihman was among 12 people held in police raids in April in Lancs, Greater Manchester and Liverpool.
Rihman's solicitor Amjad Malik said his client is not coping well after being moved between high security prisons.
May 18, 2009
A student detained pending deportation after being arrested in the North West but not charged over a suspected terror plot is trapped, his lawyer said.
Tariq ur Rihman was among 12 people held in police raids in April in Lancs, Greater Manchester and Liverpool.
Rihman's solicitor Amjad Malik said his client is not coping well after being moved between high security prisons.
Filed under
Amjad Malik,
Liverpool,
Manchester
by Winter Patriot
on Monday, May 18, 2009 |
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APP : Lawyer attack denial of bail to four Pak students
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lawyer attack denial of bail to four Pak students
May 14, 2009
LONDON, May 14 (APP)- Lawyer representing four of the ten Pakistan students facing deportation after they were arrested in anti-terror raids has spoken against the denial of bail to his clients.
Rochdale based lawyer Amjad Malik for four of them said his clients were shocked at the decision as they are eager to carry on with their studies.
Their application for bail was turned down by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Barrister Malik said; “The CPS found no shred of evidence against these men yet they are being treated like criminals by being detained at a high security prison as Category A detainees.
“These men who have never been in trouble with the law are now having to roam around with murderers and rapists. We were told the Home Secretary is convinced that there is concern they may abscond or that they will carry on with ‘Islamist extremist’ activities”, he said.
Barrister Amjad Malik went on to say; “We want to now what constitutes as Islamist activities. Is it because they wear beards, go to mosque and read their prayers and because they have other Muslim friends who they meet up with and socialise with as do many people in the UK?
“The clients are really upset about the decision as one of my clients has missed a major exam and another client has an exam coming up.
“All they wanted was to be able to carry on with their studies as their families in Pakistan have paid thousands of pounds to send their sons to the UK for decent education.”
The students were amongst 12 who were recently arrested in north west England as terrorist suspects but subsequently released without charge.
They are now facing deportation by order of the Home Secretary, which ten of them are appealing. The next hearing will take place on July 27.
May 14, 2009
LONDON, May 14 (APP)- Lawyer representing four of the ten Pakistan students facing deportation after they were arrested in anti-terror raids has spoken against the denial of bail to his clients.
Rochdale based lawyer Amjad Malik for four of them said his clients were shocked at the decision as they are eager to carry on with their studies.
Their application for bail was turned down by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Barrister Malik said; “The CPS found no shred of evidence against these men yet they are being treated like criminals by being detained at a high security prison as Category A detainees.
“These men who have never been in trouble with the law are now having to roam around with murderers and rapists. We were told the Home Secretary is convinced that there is concern they may abscond or that they will carry on with ‘Islamist extremist’ activities”, he said.
Barrister Amjad Malik went on to say; “We want to now what constitutes as Islamist activities. Is it because they wear beards, go to mosque and read their prayers and because they have other Muslim friends who they meet up with and socialise with as do many people in the UK?
“The clients are really upset about the decision as one of my clients has missed a major exam and another client has an exam coming up.
“All they wanted was to be able to carry on with their studies as their families in Pakistan have paid thousands of pounds to send their sons to the UK for decent education.”
The students were amongst 12 who were recently arrested in north west England as terrorist suspects but subsequently released without charge.
They are now facing deportation by order of the Home Secretary, which ten of them are appealing. The next hearing will take place on July 27.
Filed under
Amjad Malik
by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, May 14, 2009 |
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The Nation (Pakistan) : Pak students denied bail
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pak students denied bail
By: Asif Mehmood | May 13, 2009
LONDON - A British court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of four Pakistani students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds.
Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abid Naseer were arrested in bungled operation PATHWAY on April 8 on suspicion of their involvement in a “terror plot”.
The Barrister of students, Sibghat Ullah Qadri QC in the Special Immigration Appeal Commission of the Royal court argued that National security should not be invoked in this case because no criminal charges were pressed by the crown prosecution service after 13 days of rigorous interrogation.
The Lawyer further argued that chief constable of Greater Manchester police Peter Fahy confirmed in a Press statement that these students are innocent until proven guilty and free to walk away.
Barrister Qadri and solicitor advocate Amjad Malik argued that commission should look at the secret evidence provided by MI5 and MI6 with great caution as there assessment has proven faulty here and abroad in cases of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and forest gate terror arrests.
It was further submitted to the court that Justice should be seen to be done as it is pivotal for British justice system to gain the confidence of Muslim and minority communities for the sake of national harmony and good race relations which has a direct impact on the national security of the UK.
Barrister Ms Harrison representing one student Abid Nasir said that the Secretary of State does not have clear indication that these boys can be sent back to Pakistan without fear of torture, therefore, power to make a deportation order is an administrative abuse of power.
George Brown and John Nicholson representing Tariq-ur-Rehman and Shoaib Khan said that their clients are lawful entrants and have the right to bail.
Earlier Robin Tam QC, arguing on behalf of the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, opposed the bail for all four Pakistani students on the premise that no restriction can stop them from continuing unlawful activities and they, if released, will continue to be part of Al-Qaeda’s London-based network. He assured the court that talks are under way with Pakistani authorities to seek assurances that these students will not be tortured upon return.
Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Daly of the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, while refusing the bail application, said the court has further directed the Secretary of State to produce open and secret evidence by July 6, 2009.
The next hearing of these appeals will be on July 27 at the Royal Courts of Justice.
By: Asif Mehmood | May 13, 2009
LONDON - A British court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of four Pakistani students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds.
Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abid Naseer were arrested in bungled operation PATHWAY on April 8 on suspicion of their involvement in a “terror plot”.
The Barrister of students, Sibghat Ullah Qadri QC in the Special Immigration Appeal Commission of the Royal court argued that National security should not be invoked in this case because no criminal charges were pressed by the crown prosecution service after 13 days of rigorous interrogation.
The Lawyer further argued that chief constable of Greater Manchester police Peter Fahy confirmed in a Press statement that these students are innocent until proven guilty and free to walk away.
Barrister Qadri and solicitor advocate Amjad Malik argued that commission should look at the secret evidence provided by MI5 and MI6 with great caution as there assessment has proven faulty here and abroad in cases of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and forest gate terror arrests.
It was further submitted to the court that Justice should be seen to be done as it is pivotal for British justice system to gain the confidence of Muslim and minority communities for the sake of national harmony and good race relations which has a direct impact on the national security of the UK.
Barrister Ms Harrison representing one student Abid Nasir said that the Secretary of State does not have clear indication that these boys can be sent back to Pakistan without fear of torture, therefore, power to make a deportation order is an administrative abuse of power.
George Brown and John Nicholson representing Tariq-ur-Rehman and Shoaib Khan said that their clients are lawful entrants and have the right to bail.
Earlier Robin Tam QC, arguing on behalf of the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, opposed the bail for all four Pakistani students on the premise that no restriction can stop them from continuing unlawful activities and they, if released, will continue to be part of Al-Qaeda’s London-based network. He assured the court that talks are under way with Pakistani authorities to seek assurances that these students will not be tortured upon return.
Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Daly of the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, while refusing the bail application, said the court has further directed the Secretary of State to produce open and secret evidence by July 6, 2009.
The next hearing of these appeals will be on July 27 at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Justice Mitting,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 |
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