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.”
Showing posts with label Janas Khan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janas Khan. Show all posts
Times : Pakistani students held in anti-terror raids abandon deportation fight
Friday, August 21, 2009
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on Friday, August 21, 2009 |
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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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Liverpool Echo : Liverpool terror suspects held over ‘intercepted email plot’
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Liverpool terror suspects held over ‘intercepted email plot’
by Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo | August 15, 2009
ANTI-TERROR police swooped on addresses in Liverpool and the North- West after intercepting emails suspected of detailing an al-Qaida bomb plot.
More details about the April raids, which saw 12 men – 11 Pakistani nationals and one Briton – arrested by Special Branch officers, were revealed by a judge who denied some of the suspects bail.
The suspects were arrested as part of Operation Pathway, but never charged with any criminal offences.
Instead, all but the Briton were released into the custody of the UK Border Agency.
Seven are now fighting government attempts to deport them and five applied for bail, including at least two from Liverpool, while their cases are heard.
But High Court Judge Mr Justice Mittings refused their application.
He said a series of emails exchanged between an address attributed to one of the men and another attributed to an al-Qaida associate were “central to the open case against the appellants”.
The emails from the man, identified only as XC, to “Sohaib” appear to refer to a “nikah”, or wedding.
In a written statement, Mr Justice Mitting said: “They appear to refer to XC’s interest in named girls and to a nikah (wedding) after 15th and before 20th April, 2009, with one of them, Nadia.
“The assessment of the security service is that references to named girls could be to ingredients from which an explosive device could be made, and that the reference to the nikah is ‘most likely’ reference to an intended attack.”
Richard Hermer, QC, for XC, told last month’s hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) the security service’s account of the emails was “far-fetched” and the emails were no more than “innocent social discussions”.
Mr Justice Mitting said the final interpretation of the emails would have to wait until a full SIAC hearing takes place next year.
He said: “On the information, open and closed, which we have now, we are not satisfied that the assessment by the security service of their likely meaning is clearly wrong.”
Mr Justice Mitting added that the “undisputed fact” that no explosive materials have been recovered was “at least a significant gap” in the Government’s case against the men.
“Ultimately, it may prove to be more than that,” he said.
“On any view, it assists the appellants in their denial of participation in attack planning. But at present it does no more than that.”
The Home Secretary’s case also rests on evidence that the five men attended one or both of two meetings on March 23 and April 1 in which the “nikah” was also discussed.
Of the suspects, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.
Raids took place in Toxteth, Wavertree, Edge Hill and at John Moores University.
Hope University student Janas Khan, 25, was also among those arrested.
by Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo | August 15, 2009
ANTI-TERROR police swooped on addresses in Liverpool and the North- West after intercepting emails suspected of detailing an al-Qaida bomb plot.
More details about the April raids, which saw 12 men – 11 Pakistani nationals and one Briton – arrested by Special Branch officers, were revealed by a judge who denied some of the suspects bail.
The suspects were arrested as part of Operation Pathway, but never charged with any criminal offences.
Instead, all but the Briton were released into the custody of the UK Border Agency.
Seven are now fighting government attempts to deport them and five applied for bail, including at least two from Liverpool, while their cases are heard.
But High Court Judge Mr Justice Mittings refused their application.
He said a series of emails exchanged between an address attributed to one of the men and another attributed to an al-Qaida associate were “central to the open case against the appellants”.
The emails from the man, identified only as XC, to “Sohaib” appear to refer to a “nikah”, or wedding.
In a written statement, Mr Justice Mitting said: “They appear to refer to XC’s interest in named girls and to a nikah (wedding) after 15th and before 20th April, 2009, with one of them, Nadia.
“The assessment of the security service is that references to named girls could be to ingredients from which an explosive device could be made, and that the reference to the nikah is ‘most likely’ reference to an intended attack.”
Richard Hermer, QC, for XC, told last month’s hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) the security service’s account of the emails was “far-fetched” and the emails were no more than “innocent social discussions”.
Mr Justice Mitting said the final interpretation of the emails would have to wait until a full SIAC hearing takes place next year.
He said: “On the information, open and closed, which we have now, we are not satisfied that the assessment by the security service of their likely meaning is clearly wrong.”
Mr Justice Mitting added that the “undisputed fact” that no explosive materials have been recovered was “at least a significant gap” in the Government’s case against the men.
“Ultimately, it may prove to be more than that,” he said.
“On any view, it assists the appellants in their denial of participation in attack planning. But at present it does no more than that.”
The Home Secretary’s case also rests on evidence that the five men attended one or both of two meetings on March 23 and April 1 in which the “nikah” was also discussed.
Of the suspects, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.
Raids took place in Toxteth, Wavertree, Edge Hill and at John Moores University.
Hope University student Janas Khan, 25, was also among those arrested.
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Telegraph : Judge says 'al-Qaeda emails' could refer to bomb plot
Friday, August 14, 2009
Judge says 'al-Qaeda emails' could refer to bomb plot
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | August 14, 2009
Five Pakistani students have been denied bail after a judge decided they may have used coded emails about girls and cars to plan an Easter bombing campaign in Manchester.
The emails, disclosed by the Daily Telegraph last month, appear to use girl’s names to allude to bomb-making chemicals and a planned wedding as code for the attack.
Mr Justice Mitting, a high court judge, chairing the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), said, “unless that assessment is clearly wrong we must, for present purposes, accept it.”
He said the commission had examined further evidence about the emails behind closed doors and was refusing bail until a full hearing next year.
The Government is trying to deport the students saying they are a risk to national security because they were members of a “UK-based network involved in terrorist operational activity in the UK, most likely attack planning.”
MI5 claims that the terrorist network was “co-ordinated” by a 23-year-old student who can only be referred to as “XC”, who sent and received the emails, and that it was “directed by al-Qaeda based overseas.”
They believe he was using girl’s names to allude to chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and phrases such as “weak and difficult to convince” or “crystal clear” to the strengths of the chemicals available.
In one email the alleged commander in Pakistan referred to a “new car” which MI5 believed could refer to car bombs.
An email sent by XC on the afternoon of April 3 sparked fears that an attack was imminent when he said he had “agreed to conduct the nikah [wedding] after 15th and before 20th of this month” adding: “We will have many guests attending the party…I wished you could be here as well to enjoy the party.” It was this that led to police raids across the north west in which 11 men were arrested.
Four of the students attended one or both meetings with XC held on March 23 and April 1 this year when the “wedding” was allegedly discussed.
Mr Justice Mitting said the commission did not find MI5’s assessment of the meetings was “clearly wrong.”
Referring to the emails, he added: “On the information, open and closed, which we have now, we are not satisfied that the assessment by the Security Service of their likely meaning is clearly wrong.”
Robin Tam, QC for the government, said the emails were “central to the open case against the appellants” but Richard Hermer QC for XC told the commission that the assessment was far fetched and that when the emails were examined in the context of all the others stored on the hard drive of the man’s computer, they would be shown to be no more than innocent social discussions.
The commission said XC had submitted a “belated, as yet unsigned, statement” which made the same claim and suggested that the emails refer to “girls, though not by their own names, and that he hoped to marry in April 2009.”
All the appellants have pointed to the fact that no explosives were recovered and that there is nothing to link any of those arrested with explosives.
Of the 11 men initially arrested, eight are appealing against deportation on national security grounds, including XC, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammed Ramzan, Ahmed Faraz Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, who has returned to Pakistan voluntarily. Five had their application for bail turned down.
Two others, Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, have been bailed pending deportation for visa irregularities although the government still maintains they were “involved in an extreme Islamist network.”
A British man, Hamza Shinwari, was released without charge.
The three unnamed men, including XC, have declined to waive their anonymity under the rules that govern SIAC.
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | August 14, 2009
Five Pakistani students have been denied bail after a judge decided they may have used coded emails about girls and cars to plan an Easter bombing campaign in Manchester.
The emails, disclosed by the Daily Telegraph last month, appear to use girl’s names to allude to bomb-making chemicals and a planned wedding as code for the attack.
Mr Justice Mitting, a high court judge, chairing the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), said, “unless that assessment is clearly wrong we must, for present purposes, accept it.”
He said the commission had examined further evidence about the emails behind closed doors and was refusing bail until a full hearing next year.
The Government is trying to deport the students saying they are a risk to national security because they were members of a “UK-based network involved in terrorist operational activity in the UK, most likely attack planning.”
MI5 claims that the terrorist network was “co-ordinated” by a 23-year-old student who can only be referred to as “XC”, who sent and received the emails, and that it was “directed by al-Qaeda based overseas.”
They believe he was using girl’s names to allude to chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and phrases such as “weak and difficult to convince” or “crystal clear” to the strengths of the chemicals available.
In one email the alleged commander in Pakistan referred to a “new car” which MI5 believed could refer to car bombs.
An email sent by XC on the afternoon of April 3 sparked fears that an attack was imminent when he said he had “agreed to conduct the nikah [wedding] after 15th and before 20th of this month” adding: “We will have many guests attending the party…I wished you could be here as well to enjoy the party.” It was this that led to police raids across the north west in which 11 men were arrested.
Four of the students attended one or both meetings with XC held on March 23 and April 1 this year when the “wedding” was allegedly discussed.
Mr Justice Mitting said the commission did not find MI5’s assessment of the meetings was “clearly wrong.”
Referring to the emails, he added: “On the information, open and closed, which we have now, we are not satisfied that the assessment by the Security Service of their likely meaning is clearly wrong.”
Robin Tam, QC for the government, said the emails were “central to the open case against the appellants” but Richard Hermer QC for XC told the commission that the assessment was far fetched and that when the emails were examined in the context of all the others stored on the hard drive of the man’s computer, they would be shown to be no more than innocent social discussions.
The commission said XC had submitted a “belated, as yet unsigned, statement” which made the same claim and suggested that the emails refer to “girls, though not by their own names, and that he hoped to marry in April 2009.”
All the appellants have pointed to the fact that no explosives were recovered and that there is nothing to link any of those arrested with explosives.
Of the 11 men initially arrested, eight are appealing against deportation on national security grounds, including XC, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammed Ramzan, Ahmed Faraz Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, who has returned to Pakistan voluntarily. Five had their application for bail turned down.
Two others, Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, have been bailed pending deportation for visa irregularities although the government still maintains they were “involved in an extreme Islamist network.”
A British man, Hamza Shinwari, was released without charge.
The three unnamed men, including XC, have declined to waive their anonymity under the rules that govern SIAC.
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BBC : Cleared terror man fights to stay
Friday, August 14, 2009
Cleared terror man fights to stay
August 14, 2009
One of the men arrested in north-west England accused of being part of an alleged terror plot has told a tribunal he is a genuine student.
Pakistani Janas Khan was one of 12 men who were arrested and released without charge in the raids in April.
The Home Office is trying to deport him, saying he had falsely stated on his visa he was not working while studying, when in fact he was.
He disputed the hours they said he was working and said he was a good student.
At the tribunal, the Home Office produced a form on which Mr Khan had stated he was not working while studying.
'Ordinary student'
But they said he was working part time as a security guard in Clitheroe, Lancs, and produced time sheets showing he was working up to 50 hours a week, when the maximum students can work is 20 hours per week.
Mr Khan said he did not work all of the shifts and often subcontracted the work to other people.
His barrister, John Nicholson said it was a very loose form of employment without a contract or terms and conditions.
Mr Nicholson said: "He is not a terrorist, he is not an asylum seeker, he is an ordinary student who's done very well in his classes, getting very good marks. He has got a lot of support from the Liverpool Hope University here today."
Mr Khan said: "If I don't get my degree I will go home with empty hands and I won't have a future."
The tribunal also heard if he returned to Pakistan without his degree, the cloud of suspicion would remain over him because of the fact he was arrested in the counter terrorism operation.
The judge's decision should be relayed to Khan within the next 10 days.
August 14, 2009
One of the men arrested in north-west England accused of being part of an alleged terror plot has told a tribunal he is a genuine student.
Pakistani Janas Khan was one of 12 men who were arrested and released without charge in the raids in April.
The Home Office is trying to deport him, saying he had falsely stated on his visa he was not working while studying, when in fact he was.
He disputed the hours they said he was working and said he was a good student.
At the tribunal, the Home Office produced a form on which Mr Khan had stated he was not working while studying.
'Ordinary student'
But they said he was working part time as a security guard in Clitheroe, Lancs, and produced time sheets showing he was working up to 50 hours a week, when the maximum students can work is 20 hours per week.
Mr Khan said he did not work all of the shifts and often subcontracted the work to other people.
His barrister, John Nicholson said it was a very loose form of employment without a contract or terms and conditions.
Mr Nicholson said: "He is not a terrorist, he is not an asylum seeker, he is an ordinary student who's done very well in his classes, getting very good marks. He has got a lot of support from the Liverpool Hope University here today."
Mr Khan said: "If I don't get my degree I will go home with empty hands and I won't have a future."
The tribunal also heard if he returned to Pakistan without his degree, the cloud of suspicion would remain over him because of the fact he was arrested in the counter terrorism operation.
The judge's decision should be relayed to Khan within the next 10 days.
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Telegraph : Cars and girls: email 'codewords’ that put MI5 on terrorist alert
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Cars and girls: email 'codewords’ that put MI5 on terrorist alert
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | July 30, 2009
A Muslim terrorist suspect sent coded emails to an al-Qaeda commander in which references to his impending marriage were in fact details of a planned bomb attack in Britain, MI5 has claimed.
The messages, intercepted by the security service, allegedly showed that an extremist cell in Manchester was communicating with a commander in Pakistan to execute an Easter bombing campaign.
The emails, written by a 23-year-old Pakistani student, appeared to refer to several girlfriends and plans to buy a car. But the Home Office claimed that the text was code for a car-bomb attack intended to take place within days.
It led to the largest terrorist alert in Britain for two years and a series of arrests, which were brought forward after Bob Quick, the then head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, was pictured walking into Downing Street holding a piece of paper disclosing details of the operation, code-named Pathway.
Police across the North West moved in to arrest 11 students on April 8. During subsequent raids, officers found an A-to-Z with streets marked, photographs of shopping centres and a video of the men on a trip to the Welsh countryside. However, they found no evidence of bomb-making and none of the men was charged with terrorism offences.
On Monday, the eight emails were presented in evidence to a special hearing before a high court judge to decide whether the men should be deported.
MI5 believed that girls’ names were used to refer to chemicals and that talk of a “wedding” was actually a reference to the bombing itself. In one of the messages, allegedly sent to an al-Qaeda commander in Pakistan, the student, alleged to have been the leader of the cell, wrote that he planned to get married in 12 to 17 days. That caused alarm among the security services who feared an attack was imminent.
The Government is now attempting to have 10 men, who entered the country on student visas, deported to Pakistan, claiming they are a threat to national security.
In legal documents submitted by Robin Tam QC, for the Home Secretary, the Government maintained that the men were members of a “UK-based network involved in terrorist operational activity in the UK, most likely attack planning” and that the network was “directed by al-Qaeda based overseas”.
MI5 believes that the 23-year-old student, who cannot be named but is referred to as XC, was the “linchpin” of the group.
Eight men are appealing against deportation at the tribunal, including XC, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammed Ramzan, Ahmed Faraz Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, who has returned to Pakistan voluntarily.
Two others, Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, have been bailed pending deportation for visa irregularities, although the Government still maintains that they were “involved in an extreme Islamist network”. A British man, Hamza Shinwari, was released without further action being taken.
The men claim they were just friends and the trip to Wales was for sightseeing and playing cricket. Pictures in which they posed as “commandos” were just for fun, they said.
Richard Hermer QC, for XC, said that the Government’s evidence was of a “pitiful quality” and that the investigation by MI5 had been “at best incompetent”. “Despite what we assume was the most rigorous of counter-terrorism investigations, not one jot of evidence was found of bomb-making,” he said.
The Government’s case would “dissolve” if a thorough examination was made of XC’s internet use, which comprised hundreds of emails and visits to Muslim chat rooms in connection with a relationship, Mr Hermer said.
He added that, through text messages on XC’s mobile phone, police had traced a young woman who confirmed they were in a relationship and considering marriage.
The men were all denied bail yesterday pending a full hearing in March or April next year.
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | July 30, 2009
A Muslim terrorist suspect sent coded emails to an al-Qaeda commander in which references to his impending marriage were in fact details of a planned bomb attack in Britain, MI5 has claimed.
The messages, intercepted by the security service, allegedly showed that an extremist cell in Manchester was communicating with a commander in Pakistan to execute an Easter bombing campaign.
The emails, written by a 23-year-old Pakistani student, appeared to refer to several girlfriends and plans to buy a car. But the Home Office claimed that the text was code for a car-bomb attack intended to take place within days.
It led to the largest terrorist alert in Britain for two years and a series of arrests, which were brought forward after Bob Quick, the then head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, was pictured walking into Downing Street holding a piece of paper disclosing details of the operation, code-named Pathway.
Police across the North West moved in to arrest 11 students on April 8. During subsequent raids, officers found an A-to-Z with streets marked, photographs of shopping centres and a video of the men on a trip to the Welsh countryside. However, they found no evidence of bomb-making and none of the men was charged with terrorism offences.
On Monday, the eight emails were presented in evidence to a special hearing before a high court judge to decide whether the men should be deported.
MI5 believed that girls’ names were used to refer to chemicals and that talk of a “wedding” was actually a reference to the bombing itself. In one of the messages, allegedly sent to an al-Qaeda commander in Pakistan, the student, alleged to have been the leader of the cell, wrote that he planned to get married in 12 to 17 days. That caused alarm among the security services who feared an attack was imminent.
The Government is now attempting to have 10 men, who entered the country on student visas, deported to Pakistan, claiming they are a threat to national security.
In legal documents submitted by Robin Tam QC, for the Home Secretary, the Government maintained that the men were members of a “UK-based network involved in terrorist operational activity in the UK, most likely attack planning” and that the network was “directed by al-Qaeda based overseas”.
MI5 believes that the 23-year-old student, who cannot be named but is referred to as XC, was the “linchpin” of the group.
Eight men are appealing against deportation at the tribunal, including XC, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammed Ramzan, Ahmed Faraz Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, who has returned to Pakistan voluntarily.
Two others, Janas Khan and Sultan Sher, have been bailed pending deportation for visa irregularities, although the Government still maintains that they were “involved in an extreme Islamist network”. A British man, Hamza Shinwari, was released without further action being taken.
The men claim they were just friends and the trip to Wales was for sightseeing and playing cricket. Pictures in which they posed as “commandos” were just for fun, they said.
Richard Hermer QC, for XC, said that the Government’s evidence was of a “pitiful quality” and that the investigation by MI5 had been “at best incompetent”. “Despite what we assume was the most rigorous of counter-terrorism investigations, not one jot of evidence was found of bomb-making,” he said.
The Government’s case would “dissolve” if a thorough examination was made of XC’s internet use, which comprised hundreds of emails and visits to Muslim chat rooms in connection with a relationship, Mr Hermer said.
He added that, through text messages on XC’s mobile phone, police had traced a young woman who confirmed they were in a relationship and considering marriage.
The men were all denied bail yesterday pending a full hearing in March or April next year.
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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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Justice Mitting,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, July 30, 2009 |
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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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Justice Mitting,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, July 30, 2009 |
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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,
Janas Khan,
Justice Mitting,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 |
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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,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 |
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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,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 |
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Telegraph : Pakistani student arrested during terror raids 'to be deported for visa irregularities'
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pakistani student arrested during terror raids 'to be deported for visa irregularities'
By Ian Johnston | July 20, 2009
A Pakistani student arrested at gunpoint during an anti-terrorism operation is facing deportation for "visa irregularities" despite not being charged after the raids, it was claimed.
Janas Khan, 26, was arrested along with 11 other foreign students in April during 'Operation Pathway'.
It had to be brought forward by police after Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick was photographed as he walked into Downing Street, holding a file displaying details of the planned operation.
Despite being released without charge Mr Khan, who was studying for a Masters of Business Administration at Liverpool Hope University, is now facing deportation because of "visa irregularities".
He has also been forced to wear an electronic tag.
Mr Khan, who also works as a part-time as a security guard, protested his innocence during a series of interviews at the weekend.
He said: "Growing up we heard that the UK was the one place that respected human rights and justice, which is why I wanted to study here. I'm shocked and angry. I am innocent and I still can't believe I was arrested on no evidence.
"We came to this country to make our future, not to ruin it, not to destroy it. Our family sent us to do our degrees so when we go back to our country we get a good job."
He denied he and the six other arrested men he knows had ever been involved in extremism and when asked if they had even talked about it, he told Channel 4 News: "No, not too much.
"It was the best of life we were mostly discussing - about girls and class fellows and about our studies."
He said when he was arrested armed officers burst in, saying "don't move" and "put your hands up".
"I don't have words to describe that moment. It was a scary and shocking moment for us," he said.
Mr Khan, originally from Peshawar, and another man, Sultan Sher, were released from custody on Friday.
Now staying in a Manchester hostel following his release from Woodhill Prison, Mr Khan said he was interviewed by officers more than 10 times.
"They were asking me about my friends," he said.
"There was some pictures put in front of me and they were asking 'who's this guy?', 'who's this guy?'...'how did you meet with him?"
Mr Khan and Mr Sher, from Manchester, were detained as the Home Office sought to deport them, claiming they posed a threat to national security.
But that allegation was dropped last week, a solicitor for one of the men said.
Home Office officials said the Government would now seek to deport them for visa irregularities.
A spokesman said: "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.
"We are therefore putting in place suitable and robust measures to ensure we are fully aware of their whereabouts as we progress their cases for removal."
Lawyer Mohammed Ayub said the terror allegations against his client were "groundless" and he would 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.
Another has returned to Pakistan voluntarily and an Afghan man is in custody pending deportation for allegedly being in the UK illegally.
The remaining seven still face deportation on the grounds of national security.
Their case returns to court later this month.
By Ian Johnston | July 20, 2009
A Pakistani student arrested at gunpoint during an anti-terrorism operation is facing deportation for "visa irregularities" despite not being charged after the raids, it was claimed.
Janas Khan, 26, was arrested along with 11 other foreign students in April during 'Operation Pathway'.
It had to be brought forward by police after Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick was photographed as he walked into Downing Street, holding a file displaying details of the planned operation.
Despite being released without charge Mr Khan, who was studying for a Masters of Business Administration at Liverpool Hope University, is now facing deportation because of "visa irregularities".
He has also been forced to wear an electronic tag.
Mr Khan, who also works as a part-time as a security guard, protested his innocence during a series of interviews at the weekend.
He said: "Growing up we heard that the UK was the one place that respected human rights and justice, which is why I wanted to study here. I'm shocked and angry. I am innocent and I still can't believe I was arrested on no evidence.
"We came to this country to make our future, not to ruin it, not to destroy it. Our family sent us to do our degrees so when we go back to our country we get a good job."
He denied he and the six other arrested men he knows had ever been involved in extremism and when asked if they had even talked about it, he told Channel 4 News: "No, not too much.
"It was the best of life we were mostly discussing - about girls and class fellows and about our studies."
He said when he was arrested armed officers burst in, saying "don't move" and "put your hands up".
"I don't have words to describe that moment. It was a scary and shocking moment for us," he said.
Mr Khan, originally from Peshawar, and another man, Sultan Sher, were released from custody on Friday.
Now staying in a Manchester hostel following his release from Woodhill Prison, Mr Khan said he was interviewed by officers more than 10 times.
"They were asking me about my friends," he said.
"There was some pictures put in front of me and they were asking 'who's this guy?', 'who's this guy?'...'how did you meet with him?"
Mr Khan and Mr Sher, from Manchester, were detained as the Home Office sought to deport them, claiming they posed a threat to national security.
But that allegation was dropped last week, a solicitor for one of the men said.
Home Office officials said the Government would now seek to deport them for visa irregularities.
A spokesman said: "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.
"We are therefore putting in place suitable and robust measures to ensure we are fully aware of their whereabouts as we progress their cases for removal."
Lawyer Mohammed Ayub said the terror allegations against his client were "groundless" and he would 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.
Another has returned to Pakistan voluntarily and an Afghan man is in custody pending deportation for allegedly being in the UK illegally.
The remaining seven still face deportation on the grounds of national security.
Their case returns to court later this month.
Filed under
Bob Quick,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Sultan Sher
by Winter Patriot
on Monday, July 20, 2009 |
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Independent : Pakistani students launch legal action over arrests
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Pakistani students launch legal action over arrests
By Emily Dugan | July 19, 2009
Janas Khan, one of two Pakistani students released from prison yesterday months after terrorism charges against them were dropped, has told The Independent on Sunday he was "shocked and angry" at his treatment by the UK Government. Lawyers acting for the remaining seven Pakistani students still held in prison have also announced they will launch a legal challenge against the Government this week.
The 26-year-old business student began to cry as he said: "Growing up we heard that the UK was the one place that respected human rights and justice, which is why I wanted to study here. I'm shocked and angry. I am innocent and I still can't believe I was arrested on no evidence."
Sultan Sher was also released from prison yesterday. The two were among 12 students who were arrested in April after the UK's most senior counterterrorism officer was photographed walking into Downing Street carrying highly sensitive documents revealing details of the operation. The details were visible, and a premature police operation against an alleged al-Qa'ida plot ensued. The officer responsible, Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, resigned.
Criminal charges against all the students were dropped in May because of insufficient evidence, but they have been kept locked in high-security prisons under immigration laws. "They never told us what it was that we were supposed to have done," said Mr Khan. His studies were due to finish in September, but the limitations of his parole conditions means it will be impossible to travel from Manchester to meet his tutors in Liverpool.
Legal challenges for the remaining students will now add to the authorities' embarrassment following the bungled terror case. Two lawsuits will contest the legality of the Government's use of secret evidence in their continued imprisonment as well as the lawfulness of the initial arrest.
By Emily Dugan | July 19, 2009
Janas Khan, one of two Pakistani students released from prison yesterday months after terrorism charges against them were dropped, has told The Independent on Sunday he was "shocked and angry" at his treatment by the UK Government. Lawyers acting for the remaining seven Pakistani students still held in prison have also announced they will launch a legal challenge against the Government this week.
The 26-year-old business student began to cry as he said: "Growing up we heard that the UK was the one place that respected human rights and justice, which is why I wanted to study here. I'm shocked and angry. I am innocent and I still can't believe I was arrested on no evidence."
Sultan Sher was also released from prison yesterday. The two were among 12 students who were arrested in April after the UK's most senior counterterrorism officer was photographed walking into Downing Street carrying highly sensitive documents revealing details of the operation. The details were visible, and a premature police operation against an alleged al-Qa'ida plot ensued. The officer responsible, Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, resigned.
Criminal charges against all the students were dropped in May because of insufficient evidence, but they have been kept locked in high-security prisons under immigration laws. "They never told us what it was that we were supposed to have done," said Mr Khan. His studies were due to finish in September, but the limitations of his parole conditions means it will be impossible to travel from Manchester to meet his tutors in Liverpool.
Legal challenges for the remaining students will now add to the authorities' embarrassment following the bungled terror case. Two lawsuits will contest the legality of the Government's use of secret evidence in their continued imprisonment as well as the lawfulness of the initial arrest.
Filed under
Bob Quick,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Sultan Sher
by Winter Patriot
on Sunday, July 19, 2009 |
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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
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher
by Winter Patriot
on Saturday, July 18, 2009 |
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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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Friday, July 17, 2009 |
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The Peninsula : Pakistani seeks apology from Britain for son’s arrest
Monday, April 20, 2009
Pakistani seeks apology from Britain for son’s arrest
April 20, 2009
PESHAWAR: Like other families of Pakistani students held on terror charges in Britain, family members of Janas Khan, who is under detention and may face deportation, are worried about his safety.
Ahmad Jan, father of Janas Khan, yesterday said his family had no links with militants whatsoever, lamenting the attitude of Pakistani and British officials who had not contacted him to date.
Demanding his son’s immediate release, he asked the UK to tender an apology for implicating his “innocent” son in a false case.
A cloth merchant by profession and a diabetic, Jan said he was shocked to see the images of his son on television with reports of his arrest. “For God’s sake, we have no links with those people. We are respected people and deal in cloth business,” he said, adding before going to the UK, his son was employed with a pharmaceutical company here.
The worried father said his son did his SSC from Edwardes High School, FSc and graduation from Superior Science College, Peshawar and both are reputed institutions. After completing his graduation Janas Khan got a job at a medicine company Before going to UK in March 2007, he was working with a multinational pharmaceutical.
Ahmad Jan said during his stay in UK, Janas Khan would regularly contact his family to inquire about the health of his parents, especially his mother who is a heart patient and has undergone a bypass surgery.
Jan said that he talked to his son in the first week of this month, which turned out to be the last conversation until now. “His mother is still unaware of the detention of Janas Khan as we do not want her to have this information given her poor health,” Jan added.
Expressing disappointment over the ‘irresponsible’ attitude of both the UK and Pakistani officials, he said none of the two governments had informed him about his arrest even after the lapse of nine days.
April 20, 2009
PESHAWAR: Like other families of Pakistani students held on terror charges in Britain, family members of Janas Khan, who is under detention and may face deportation, are worried about his safety.
Ahmad Jan, father of Janas Khan, yesterday said his family had no links with militants whatsoever, lamenting the attitude of Pakistani and British officials who had not contacted him to date.
Demanding his son’s immediate release, he asked the UK to tender an apology for implicating his “innocent” son in a false case.
A cloth merchant by profession and a diabetic, Jan said he was shocked to see the images of his son on television with reports of his arrest. “For God’s sake, we have no links with those people. We are respected people and deal in cloth business,” he said, adding before going to the UK, his son was employed with a pharmaceutical company here.
The worried father said his son did his SSC from Edwardes High School, FSc and graduation from Superior Science College, Peshawar and both are reputed institutions. After completing his graduation Janas Khan got a job at a medicine company Before going to UK in March 2007, he was working with a multinational pharmaceutical.
Ahmad Jan said during his stay in UK, Janas Khan would regularly contact his family to inquire about the health of his parents, especially his mother who is a heart patient and has undergone a bypass surgery.
Jan said that he talked to his son in the first week of this month, which turned out to be the last conversation until now. “His mother is still unaware of the detention of Janas Khan as we do not want her to have this information given her poor health,” Jan added.
Expressing disappointment over the ‘irresponsible’ attitude of both the UK and Pakistani officials, he said none of the two governments had informed him about his arrest even after the lapse of nine days.
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by Winter Patriot
on Monday, April 20, 2009 |
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Dawn : Student arrested in UK seeks consular service
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Student arrested in UK seeks consular service
By M. Ziauddin | April 18, 2009
LONDON, April 17: One of the Pakistani students arrested in last week’s anti-terrorism raids, Janas Khan, has sought Pakistan High Commission’s consular service.
Meanwhile, the high commission has also obtained the names of four solicitors who are representing seven of the arrested students who have refused the offer of consular services. The commission is trying to contact the students through their solicitors.
Sources in the high commission said that the remaining two Pakistani students had refused consular services and have also requested authorities not to involve their families in the matter.All 12 persons were arrested on April 8 on suspicion of being involved in hatching plots to stage terrorist acts in the UK.
One, whose identity is yet to be established but believed to be a Bangladeshi, was released on the very second day, and of the remaining 11 still in custody, one is said to be Afghan national.
The UK authorities have so far not shared with Pakistani authorities even preliminary information about the students like their names, home addresses and the names of the institutions where these students were studying and the subjects they were studying; when they arrived in the UK and when do their visas expire.
Ignoring Pakistan’s request to either put those arrested on trial, or to allow them to remain in the country to continue their studies, the UK authorities are said to have decided to let the police continue their investigation.
There has also been talk of deporting some of the arrested students against whom actionable evidence is not likely to be found.
Under the law, police could keep the suspects in custody for 28 days. So, police has 18 days more to marshal the required evidence to charge them.
Sighatullah Kadri, QC, a British lawyer of Pakistani origin, answered in the affirmative when asked if the UK authorities could deport the students even if the charges under which they were arrested were not found valid.
He said perhaps the police had arrested these students only on the basis of taped ‘incriminating’ conversation, but since taped conversation is not admissible in the court of law and also the MI5 itself would not like to use this evidence in the court fearing exposing its methods of investigations, the police is finding itself in a fix. “They do not want to let the suspects go scot-free because of what evidence they have but they cannot also keep them under detention beyond 28 days without coming up with actionable evidence.”
By M. Ziauddin | April 18, 2009
LONDON, April 17: One of the Pakistani students arrested in last week’s anti-terrorism raids, Janas Khan, has sought Pakistan High Commission’s consular service.
Meanwhile, the high commission has also obtained the names of four solicitors who are representing seven of the arrested students who have refused the offer of consular services. The commission is trying to contact the students through their solicitors.
Sources in the high commission said that the remaining two Pakistani students had refused consular services and have also requested authorities not to involve their families in the matter.All 12 persons were arrested on April 8 on suspicion of being involved in hatching plots to stage terrorist acts in the UK.
One, whose identity is yet to be established but believed to be a Bangladeshi, was released on the very second day, and of the remaining 11 still in custody, one is said to be Afghan national.
The UK authorities have so far not shared with Pakistani authorities even preliminary information about the students like their names, home addresses and the names of the institutions where these students were studying and the subjects they were studying; when they arrived in the UK and when do their visas expire.
Ignoring Pakistan’s request to either put those arrested on trial, or to allow them to remain in the country to continue their studies, the UK authorities are said to have decided to let the police continue their investigation.
There has also been talk of deporting some of the arrested students against whom actionable evidence is not likely to be found.
Under the law, police could keep the suspects in custody for 28 days. So, police has 18 days more to marshal the required evidence to charge them.
Sighatullah Kadri, QC, a British lawyer of Pakistani origin, answered in the affirmative when asked if the UK authorities could deport the students even if the charges under which they were arrested were not found valid.
He said perhaps the police had arrested these students only on the basis of taped ‘incriminating’ conversation, but since taped conversation is not admissible in the court of law and also the MI5 itself would not like to use this evidence in the court fearing exposing its methods of investigations, the police is finding itself in a fix. “They do not want to let the suspects go scot-free because of what evidence they have but they cannot also keep them under detention beyond 28 days without coming up with actionable evidence.”
Filed under
Janas Khan
by Winter Patriot
on Saturday, April 18, 2009 |
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Liverpool Echo : Liverpool terror arrest: Friend’s plea for arrested suspect
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Liverpool terror arrest: Friend’s plea for arrested suspect
April 14, 2009
A FRIEND of a Liverpool student arrested in raids on suspected terrorists today insisted he is innocent.
The Nigerian student, who only gave his name as Jamil, said Janas Khan, 25, and another student had been caught up in the raids because he had broken the terms of his visa.
It comes following a day of turmoil for city residents evacuated from their homes in Highgate Street, Edge Hill, yesterday after searches led to bomb disposal experts being called in.
No device has been found and police have now concluded their search of the property.
Residents said chemicals were mentioned by officers leading them from their homes which they finally returned to at 8.45pm.
Today Jamil told the ECHO: “We are studying for an international Masters in business management at Liverpool Hope University.
“We attended lectures and there was nothing to suggest in any way that they were terrorists.
“I have known them personally as friends, they will be acquitted.
“They lived together and were looking for a second hand car for their jobs as security guards.”
He said he believed they had been arrested by police because they were unable to find them at the time of checking their visas. Khan was one of several men understood to be staying at a £115,000 flat in Wavertree thought to be owned by Mohammed Benhammedi.
Property tycoon Benhammedi has been identified by the US as a “key financier” for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, an organisation described as being part of the “wider Al-Qaeda associated movement”.
During his time in the UK, Khan was working for a company that provided security for Liverpool and England footballers. Khan resigned from his job, but signed on with another company to work as a security guard at a new Homebase which opened in Clitheroe last week.
He was among 12 men arrested in the North West, including John Moores University student Mohammad Ramzan, 25 and Abdul Wahab Khan.
After being ordered to evacuate Highgate Street at around 2.30pm residents were allowed to return six hours later.
Mother-of-four Ann-Marie Bennett, 32, said: “I can understand that they don’t want to give a lot of information out but we had children with us and we were not told anything.”
April 14, 2009
A FRIEND of a Liverpool student arrested in raids on suspected terrorists today insisted he is innocent.
The Nigerian student, who only gave his name as Jamil, said Janas Khan, 25, and another student had been caught up in the raids because he had broken the terms of his visa.
It comes following a day of turmoil for city residents evacuated from their homes in Highgate Street, Edge Hill, yesterday after searches led to bomb disposal experts being called in.
No device has been found and police have now concluded their search of the property.
Residents said chemicals were mentioned by officers leading them from their homes which they finally returned to at 8.45pm.
Today Jamil told the ECHO: “We are studying for an international Masters in business management at Liverpool Hope University.
“We attended lectures and there was nothing to suggest in any way that they were terrorists.
“I have known them personally as friends, they will be acquitted.
“They lived together and were looking for a second hand car for their jobs as security guards.”
He said he believed they had been arrested by police because they were unable to find them at the time of checking their visas. Khan was one of several men understood to be staying at a £115,000 flat in Wavertree thought to be owned by Mohammed Benhammedi.
Property tycoon Benhammedi has been identified by the US as a “key financier” for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, an organisation described as being part of the “wider Al-Qaeda associated movement”.
During his time in the UK, Khan was working for a company that provided security for Liverpool and England footballers. Khan resigned from his job, but signed on with another company to work as a security guard at a new Homebase which opened in Clitheroe last week.
He was among 12 men arrested in the North West, including John Moores University student Mohammad Ramzan, 25 and Abdul Wahab Khan.
After being ordered to evacuate Highgate Street at around 2.30pm residents were allowed to return six hours later.
Mother-of-four Ann-Marie Bennett, 32, said: “I can understand that they don’t want to give a lot of information out but we had children with us and we were not told anything.”
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
bomb,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 |
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Telegraph : Father of terror suspect accuses Britain of discrimination
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Father of terror suspect accuses Britain of discrimination
The father of a suspect in the alleged Easter bomb plot to blow up shopping centres claimed his son is a victim of discrimination in Britain.
By Nick Allen, Duncan Gardham and Isambard Wilkinson | April 14, 2009
Abid Naseer, 23, is among 11 men still being questioned after a series of police raids in Manchester and Liverpool last week. Ten of the suspects are Pakistani nationals
His father Nasrullah Jan Khattak said: “My son prays five times a day and his only fault is that he has a beard. His only sin is that he is Muslim and Pakistani.
“I'm astonished how they could think that Abid has links with militant or terrorist groups. We are never involved in such activities. We only think about education and prayers and fasting and that's it.
“Ours is a religious-minded family but this doesn't mean that my son is part of a terrorist cell. He is peaceful, religious-minded and cricket-loving person.”
Mr Khattak, a contractor for the Pakistan government, was speaking at his home in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province.
The Daily Telegraph understands that at least five of those being questioned are from the North-West Frontier Province, close to the Afghan border.
It is also understood that four of the suspects – Abid Naseer, Janas Khan, Umar Farooq and Hamza Shinwari - worked as security guards.
Mr Khattak said his son studied at the Islamia College in Peshawar before going to the UK on a student visa two-and-a-half years ago. The visa was due to expire in September this year.
He was studying for a master’s degree in information technology at Bradford Professional Study College, based in Manchester.
The college is based in a suite of offices on the top floor of a Manchester business park.
College spokesman Syed Naqui told the Daily Telegraph: “This is a genuine college. If anyone applies for one of our courses we check their passport, their qualifications and their right to be in this country. If they meet all our requirements we enroll them.”
The North West counter terrorism unit are still searching 10 properties in Liverpool, the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, and in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
They have not found any explosives or identified a clear target for the alleged bomb plot.
Officers have found images of Manchester’s Arndale and Trafford shopping centres, the Birdcage nightclub and St Ann's Square, it is understood. One man, aged 18, has been released into the hands of immigration officials and will be deported.
In Pakistan Khan Mohammad Burki, whose son Abdul Wahab is one of those still being questioned, said: “This is nothing but discrimination. My son has been detained on mere suspicion as the police have no proof against him."
Haji Hazrat Ali said his son Mohammad Ramzan, 25, traveled to Britain in 2006 and was studying for an masters in business administration when he was arrested.
Mr Ali said "He is a very humble, gentle boy and always concentrates on his studies. I firmly believe he simply cannot be involved in any negative activity."
The father of a suspect in the alleged Easter bomb plot to blow up shopping centres claimed his son is a victim of discrimination in Britain.
By Nick Allen, Duncan Gardham and Isambard Wilkinson | April 14, 2009
Abid Naseer, 23, is among 11 men still being questioned after a series of police raids in Manchester and Liverpool last week. Ten of the suspects are Pakistani nationals
His father Nasrullah Jan Khattak said: “My son prays five times a day and his only fault is that he has a beard. His only sin is that he is Muslim and Pakistani.
“I'm astonished how they could think that Abid has links with militant or terrorist groups. We are never involved in such activities. We only think about education and prayers and fasting and that's it.
“Ours is a religious-minded family but this doesn't mean that my son is part of a terrorist cell. He is peaceful, religious-minded and cricket-loving person.”
Mr Khattak, a contractor for the Pakistan government, was speaking at his home in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province.
The Daily Telegraph understands that at least five of those being questioned are from the North-West Frontier Province, close to the Afghan border.
It is also understood that four of the suspects – Abid Naseer, Janas Khan, Umar Farooq and Hamza Shinwari - worked as security guards.
Mr Khattak said his son studied at the Islamia College in Peshawar before going to the UK on a student visa two-and-a-half years ago. The visa was due to expire in September this year.
He was studying for a master’s degree in information technology at Bradford Professional Study College, based in Manchester.
The college is based in a suite of offices on the top floor of a Manchester business park.
College spokesman Syed Naqui told the Daily Telegraph: “This is a genuine college. If anyone applies for one of our courses we check their passport, their qualifications and their right to be in this country. If they meet all our requirements we enroll them.”
The North West counter terrorism unit are still searching 10 properties in Liverpool, the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, and in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
They have not found any explosives or identified a clear target for the alleged bomb plot.
Officers have found images of Manchester’s Arndale and Trafford shopping centres, the Birdcage nightclub and St Ann's Square, it is understood. One man, aged 18, has been released into the hands of immigration officials and will be deported.
In Pakistan Khan Mohammad Burki, whose son Abdul Wahab is one of those still being questioned, said: “This is nothing but discrimination. My son has been detained on mere suspicion as the police have no proof against him."
Haji Hazrat Ali said his son Mohammad Ramzan, 25, traveled to Britain in 2006 and was studying for an masters in business administration when he was arrested.
Mr Ali said "He is a very humble, gentle boy and always concentrates on his studies. I firmly believe he simply cannot be involved in any negative activity."
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
bomb,
Easter,
explosives,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 |
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Daily Times : ‘Manchester terror plot’ suspect’s picture released
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
‘Manchester terror plot’ suspect’s picture released
Daily Times Monitor | April 14, 2009
Lahore: Daily Telegraph has released a picture of one of the Pakistani students arrested as part of an alleged Easter bomb plot in Manchester along with the information that he stayed at a residence owned by a terrorism-finance suspect.
Janas Khan, 25, a student at Hope University in Liverpool, had moonlighted as a security guard. He worked for £6 an hour at building sites around Liverpool until his cousin was deported for alleged visa violations in January. Khan studied for a degree designed to prepare students for medical school at the Government Superior Science College, Peshawar. Haroon Khan who had employed him, said: “He is very slight, not a big guy at all. We have a gym here but he never used it... He was a very clever lad but a bit of a loner, always looking for attention or company.”
After he resigned from this job he signed on with another company that employed him to act as a security guard at a new Homebase that opened in Clitheroe, Lancashire last week. The place is close to a chemical plant that the police suspect was being scouted as a potential target. MI5 observed the suspects filming themselves outside shopping malls in Manchester and they also visited a number of second-hand car dealerships.
Khan is thought to have stayed at a flat raided in Earle Road in Wavertree, Liverpool.
Daily Times Monitor | April 14, 2009
Lahore: Daily Telegraph has released a picture of one of the Pakistani students arrested as part of an alleged Easter bomb plot in Manchester along with the information that he stayed at a residence owned by a terrorism-finance suspect.
Janas Khan, 25, a student at Hope University in Liverpool, had moonlighted as a security guard. He worked for £6 an hour at building sites around Liverpool until his cousin was deported for alleged visa violations in January. Khan studied for a degree designed to prepare students for medical school at the Government Superior Science College, Peshawar. Haroon Khan who had employed him, said: “He is very slight, not a big guy at all. We have a gym here but he never used it... He was a very clever lad but a bit of a loner, always looking for attention or company.”
After he resigned from this job he signed on with another company that employed him to act as a security guard at a new Homebase that opened in Clitheroe, Lancashire last week. The place is close to a chemical plant that the police suspect was being scouted as a potential target. MI5 observed the suspects filming themselves outside shopping malls in Manchester and they also visited a number of second-hand car dealerships.
Khan is thought to have stayed at a flat raided in Earle Road in Wavertree, Liverpool.
Filed under
bomb,
Easter,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 |
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