BBC : Terror raid duo back in Pakistan

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".

Times : Pakistani students held in anti-terror raids abandon deportation fight

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.”

BBC : Terror raid students to leave UK

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.

Asian Image : Students held in terror raids to fly home

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.

Click Liverpool : Liverpool terror suspects denied bail

Liverpool terror suspects denied bail

by Simon Boyle | August 17, 2009

Five suspects accused of terrorism in the North-West have had their applications for bail denied.

The suspects were arrested in April, after emails detailing an al-Qaida bomb plot on addresses in Liverpool and the North-West were intercepted by police.

The 12 men - 11 from Pakistan and one Briton - were arrested during raids on their homes by Special Branch police officers. All but the Briton were then placed in the custody of the UK Border Agency.

The arrests came as part of Operation Pathway, with raids taking place at Toxteth, Wavertree, Edge Hill, and Liverpool's John Moore's University, but none of the suspects were ever charged with a criminal offence.

Seven of the accused are now fighting government attempts to deport them, while five - including two from Liverpool - have applied for bail.

However, all five bail requests have been declined by High Court Judge Mr Justice Mittings, who said that a series of emails between the suspects and a known al-Qaida associate remained central to an ongoing investigation.

Defending one of the unnamed accused, Richard Hermer, QC, told a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), that the police interpretation of the emails sent between suspects was "far-fetched", and in fact were no more than "innocent social discussions".

But Mr Justice Mitting disputed this claim, saying that a final assessment would have to wait until the next 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."

Just two of the suspects, Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, who are both students from Liverpool, have declined their right to anonymity.

Liverpool Echo : Liverpool terror suspects held over ‘intercepted email plot’

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.

Fleetwood Today : 'Al Qaida emails' suspects denied bail

'Al Qaida emails' suspects denied bail

August 15, 2009

Five Pakistani men arrested in the North West over an alleged bomb plot were denied bail because of a series of suspicious emails, a judge has said.
The five - among 12 held by police in April's Operation Pathway - were never charged with any offence and are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

Giving the reasons for the decision to deny bail at a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting said the final interpretation of the emails would have to wait until a full SIAC hearing takes place next year, adding the "undisputed fact" that no explosive materials have been recovered was "at least a significant gap" in the Government's case against the men.

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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Mr Justice Mitting said: "The Secretary of State's case on the issue of safety on return is far from complete. All we can say, for present purposes, is that is it not clear that the Secretary of State will not be able to demonstrate that it is safe to return the appellants to Pakistan."

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2009, All Rights Reserved.

Times : Terror suspects used wedding e-mails as 'bomb plot code’ MI5 claims

Terror suspects used wedding e-mails as 'bomb plot code’ MI5 claims

David Brown | August 15, 2009

A group of terror suspects were arrested after MI5 intercepted e-mails about a wedding that officers believe contained codewords for an al-Qaeda bomb plot, a judge revealed yesterday.

One e-mail referred to a girl called Nadia who would be involved in a nikha, or wedding, between April 15 and 20 this year. MI5, which had been monitoring the men, decided that the girls’ names were code for explosive ingredients and the wedding was the date of a planned attack.

Details of the claims were revealed as part of a hearing last month of five Pakistani men seeking bail from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

None of the men, among 12 seized by police in raids across the North West of England in April, has been charged with any criminal offences. They are challenging government attempts to deport them on the ground that they threaten national security.

Giving the reasons for the decision to refuse bail for the first time yesterday, Mr Justice Mitting said a series of e-mails exchanged between an address attributed to one of the men and another attributed to an al-Qaeda associate were “central to the open case against the appellants”.

The e-mails from the man, identified only as XC, were written to “Sohaib”.

In a written statement, Mr Justice Mitting said: “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 that the security service’s account of the e-mails was far-fetched and they were no more than innocent social discussions.

Mr Justice Mitting said the final interpretation of the e-mails would have to wait until a full hearing takes place next year.

He said 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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

Fleetwood Today : Terror suspects denied bail because of 'al Qaida emails'

Terror suspects denied bail because of 'al Qaida emails'

August 14, 2009

Five Pakistani men arrested in the North West over an alleged bomb plot were denied bail because of a series of suspicious emails, a judge has said.
The five - among 12 held by police in April's Operation Pathway - were never charged with any offence and are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

Giving the reasons for the decision to deny bail at a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting said the final interpretation of the emails would have to wait until a full SIAC hearing takes place next year, adding the "undisputed fact" that no explosive materials have been recovered was "at least a significant gap" in the Government's case against the men.

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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Mr Justice Mitting said: "The Secretary of State's case on the issue of safety on return is far from complete. All we can say, for present purposes, is that is it not clear that the Secretary of State will not be able to demonstrate that it is safe to return the appellants to Pakistan."

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2009, All Rights Reserved.

Lancashire Telegraph : Emails led to North West terror arrests

Emails led to North West terror arrests

August 14, 2009

A GROUP of men arrested in a major anti-terrorist operation were denied bail because of a series of emails which could implicate them in an al Qaida bomb plot, a judge has revealed.

The five, including one man arrested in Clitheroe, were among 12 people held by police in raids across the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway.

They were never charged with any criminal offences.

Two of the 12 suspects were arrested at the Clitheroe Homebase store where they were working as security guards.

They were not from the area and were staying at the Brooklyn Guest House, Pimlico Road while in the town.

Along with two other Pakistani men, who did not apply for bail, they five are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

At a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) at the end of last month the men were denied bail.

Giving the reasons for the decision for the first time, Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting continued: "The first, and ultimately determinative issue, is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?"

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing 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.

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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

This Is Lancashire : Emails led to North West terror arrests

Emails led to North West terror arrests

August 14, 2009

A GROUP of men arrested in a major anti-terrorist operation were denied bail because of a series of emails which could implicate them in an al Qaida bomb plot, a judge has revealed.

The five, including one man arrested in Clitheroe, were among 12 people held by police in raids across the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway.

They were never charged with any criminal offences.

Two of the 12 suspects were arrested at the Clitheroe Homebase store where they were working as security guards.

They were not from the area and were staying at the Brooklyn Guest House, Pimlico Road while in the town.

Along with two other Pakistani men, who did not apply for bail, they five are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

At a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) at the end of last month the men were denied bail.

Giving the reasons for the decision for the first time, Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting continued: "The first, and ultimately determinative issue, is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?"

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing 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.

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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

Metro.co.UK : UK terror suspects 'in Al Qaida bomb plot'

UK terror suspects 'in Al Qaida bomb plot'

August 14, 2009

A group of Pakistani men arrested in a major anti-terrorist operation were denied bail because of a series of emails which could implicate them in an al Qaida bomb plot, a judge revealed today.

The five were among 12 men held by police in raids across the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway, but never charged with any criminal offences.

Along with two other Pakistani men who did not apply for bail, they are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

At a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) at the end of last month the men were denied bail.

Giving the reasons for the decision for the first time today, Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting continued: "The first, and ultimately determinative issue, is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?"

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing 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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Mr Justice Mitting said: "The Secretary of State's case on the issue of safety on return is far from complete. All we can say, for present purposes, is that is it not clear that the Secretary of State will not be able to demonstrate that it is safe to return the appellants to Pakistan."

He said there was no reason to doubt the men came from respectable families and that each of them were undertaking legitimate study.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

London Evening Standard : Wedding emails sparked terror swoop

Wedding emails sparked terror swoop

Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor | August 14, 2009

Seven Pakistani terror suspects were arrested after MI5 decided that their emails contained codewords for a deadly bomb plot.

One email suggested that a girl called "Nadia" would be involved in a "nikah", a wedding, between 15 and 20 April this year - part of an exchange which defence lawyers claim was entirely innocent.

The message, and others sent between the alleged plotters, triggered a major anti-terrorist operation after MI5, which had been monitoring the men for some time, decided that the girls' names were code for explosive ingredients and the "wedding" was the intended attack.

The details were disclosed today following a hearing at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission last month at which five of the men, who are all facing deportation on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security, applied to be released on bail.

The judge in the case, Mr Justice Mitting, refused their application, saying there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that MI5's view was "plainly wrong", in a decision which means that the men will stay in custody until next year.

Giving the reasons for his decision today, Mr Justice Mitting said a series of emails exchanged between an address attributed to one of the men and another attributed to an al Qaeda 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".

Mr Justice Mitting added: "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."

He continued: "The first, and ultimately determinative issue is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?"

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing 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, however, that he could approve the men's release only if it was clear that MI5's judgment was "plainly wrong" and because this was not currently the case, the detainees would have to remain in custody.

He said the final interpretation of the emails would have to wait until a full Special Immigration Appeals Commission hearing takes place next year and 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."

The men's bail application was opposed by the Home Office, which submitted evidence that the five attended one or both of two meetings on 23 March and 1 April in which the "nikah" was also discussed.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

They were among 12 terror suspects arrested in April in a high-profile police operation across the North-West.

Three of the other men originally arrested were later released. A further two have also since been freed but have been electronically tagged and are due to be removed from the country for alleged visa irregularities.

The raids had been rushed forward after the Met's then anti-terror chief, Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, was photographed carrying details of the planned operation into Downing Street.

He resigned the following day because of the blunder.

The failure of the raids to result in any prosecutions led to concern from some critics that police and MI5 had overreacted and unfairly targeted the men detained.

But security sources insist that the raids successfully disrupted a potentially major plot.

Asian Image : Emails led to North West terror arrests

Emails led to North West terror arrests

August 14, 2009

A GROUP of men arrested in a major anti-terrorist operation were denied bail because of a series of emails which could implicate them in an al Qaida bomb plot, a judge has revealed.

The five, including one man arrested in Clitheroe, were among 12 people held by police in raids across the north west of England in April as part of Operation Pathway.

They were never charged with any criminal offences.

Two of the 12 suspects were arrested at the Clitheroe Homebase store where they were working as security guards.

They were not from the area and were staying at the Brooklyn Guest House, Pimlico Road while in the town.

Along with two other Pakistani men, who did not apply for bail, they five are challenging attempts by the Government to deport them on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security.

At a hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) at the end of last month the men were denied bail.

Giving the reasons for the decision for the first time, Mr Justice Mitting 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."

Mr Justice Mitting continued: "The first, and ultimately determinative issue, is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?"

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing 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.

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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

BBC : Cleared terror man fights to stay

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.

Daily Mail : Terror suspects denied bail by judge because of emails 'linking them to Al Qaeda bomb plot'

Terror suspects denied bail by judge because of emails 'linking them to Al Qaeda bomb plot'

By Daily Mail Reporter | August 14, 2009

Seven Pakistani men were arrested in a major anti-terrorist raid because MI5 believed emails they sent contained codewords referring to a planned attack.

One email suggested that a girl called 'Nadia' would be involved in a 'nikah', a wedding, between 15th and 20th April this year - part of an exchange which defence lawyers claim was entirely innocent.

The message triggered a major anti-terrorist operation after MI5, which had been monitoring the men for some time, decided that the girls’ names were code for explosive ingredients and the 'wedding' was the intended attack.

Giving the reasons for his decision today, Mr Justice Mitting said a series of emails exchanged between an address attributed to one of the men and another attributed to an al Qaeda 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.'

Mr Justice Mitting continued: 'The first, and ultimately determinative issue, is, therefore: is the assessment of the security service plainly wrong?'

Richard Hermer QC, for XC, told last month's hearing that 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 SAC 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.

Lawyers for the men have sought assurances that they will not be arrested and detained indefinitely if they are forced to go back to Pakistan.

Mr Justice Mitting said: 'The Secretary of State's case on the issue of safety on return is far from complete. All we can say, for present purposes, is that is it not clear that the Secretary of State will not be able to demonstrate that it is safe to return the appellants to Pakistan.'

He said there was no reason to doubt the men came from respectable families and that each of them were undertaking legitimate study.

Of the five men, students Abdul Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27, from Liverpool, have waived their right to anonymity.

The Hindu : Pak student was days away from terror attack: U.K. govt. London (PTI): A U.K.-based Pakistani student, one of the 12 alleged terror suspe

Pak student was days away from terror attack: U.K. govt.

July 29, 2009

London (PTI): A U.K.-based Pakistani student, one of the 12 alleged terror suspects arrested in April, was just "days away" from launching a major terror attack in the country, a secret immigration court has heard.

All the 12 suspects, including 10 Pakistani men, were released without any charge after the Scotland Yard could not produce enough evidence against them.

The Pakistanis were transferred to the custody of the U.K. Borders Agency and await deportation.

Details of the attack as planned by the Pakistani student were revealed during the immigration hearing here.

The student, identified only as 'XC', had used coded emails to discuss a terror plot, the government said.

The police had seized 64 computers in the operation and a number of "oddly-phrased emails" to and from 'XC' were noticed during investigation.

Some emails used the terms "crystal clear", which officials said referred to chemicals, and "weak and difficult to convince" referred to the concentration of the bomb-making chemical hydrogen peroxide, according to reports.

The terror arrests in April were embroiled in controversy even before they could begin. Britain's senior most counter-terrorism officer Bob Quick had to quit after he accidentally revealed details of a major anti-terror operation during a visit to Downing Street on April 8.

This forced the police to advance the planned anti-terror raids in northwest England, to thwart a possible al-Qaeda-linked terror plot.

No signs of any explosive material were found despite extensive searches in Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire.

Asian News : 'Terror' arrest student tells of shock at arrest

'Terror' arrest student tells of shock at arrest

July 21, 2009

A student who had been accused of being part of an alleged terror plot spoke of his shock at being arrested.

Janus Khan from Pakistan was among 12 men held during raids in the north west in April.

He and another man, Sultan Sher who was arrested while working in an internet cafe in Cheetham Hill, were released from custody on Friday.

Mr Khan was arrested in Liverpool, where he lived.

He must now wear an electronic tag and is facing deportation.

He told how police officers burst in adding: "It was a scary and shocking moment."

The 26-year-old, who was studying at Liverpool Hope University, was friends with six of the original 12 detained.

He denied holding extremist views or discussing extremism among the group, he said.

Staying in a Manchester hostel following his release from prison, Mr Khan said he was interviewed by officers more than 10 times.

Mr Khan and Mr Sher, who was living in Manchester, were detained as the Home Office sought to deport, claiming they were a threat to national security.

But that allegation was dropped last week a solicitor for one of them has said.

Home Office officials said the government would seek to deport them for alleged visa irregularities.

Mr Sher and Mr Khan were arrested as part of Operation Pathway, which was launched early, after a senior police officer exposed details of the plans.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, who resigned from the Metropolitan Police over the incident, was photographed with a secret document on his way to Downing Street.

Local campaigning group, Justice for the North West 10 has welcome the release of the two men and has urged the Home Office to immediately release the seven students still in prison.

National co-ordinator of the j4nw10 campaign, Tariq Mehmood said: "The government now admits they are innocent and they are not ‘a threat to national security’.

"Why then are Janus and Sultan being humiliated by being tagged like animals? This is a clear breach of their human rights and an attempt to save face by the authorities, since it is now obvious to the public that there was no ‘terror plot’."

He said: "The deportation orders were to hide government and police embarrassment at the lack of evidence against the students and control orders will perform the same function. This government acts as though it is above the law and refuses to admit it has ruined innocent lives in this appalling affair.

"It's now clear that Gordon Brown has misled the nation. There was never any terror plot. He should publicly apologise and resign."

The group also want the government to apologise to all the students and their families and to compensate all the students for the time and money they have lost as a result of the disruption of their studies and for the 13 weeks they were held Category A prisoners.

Added Mr Rehman: "We will continue to campaign for these demands and for the immediate, unconditional release of all the students."

Telegraph : Pakistani student arrested during terror raids 'to be deported for visa irregularities'

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.

Belfast Telegraph : Pakistani student 'shocked' at terror arrest

Pakistani student 'shocked' at terror arrest

July 20, 2009

A Pakistani student accused of being part of an alleged terror plot has spoken of his shock at being arrested.

Janus Khan was among 12 men held during raids in the north west of England in April.

He and another man, Sultan Sher, were released from custody on Friday.

Mr Khan, who has been made to wear an electronic tag and is facing deportation following his three-month ordeal, told Channel 4 News police officers burst in, saying "don't move" and "put your hands up".

He said: "I don't have words to describe that moment.

"It was a scary and shocking moment for us."

The 26-year-old, who was studying at Liverpool Hope University and worked part-time as a security guard, was friends with six of the original 12 detained, he told the programme.

He denied holding extremist views or discussing extremism among the group, chatting instead about girls and their studies, he said.

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 being in the UK illegally.

The remaining seven still face deportation on the grounds of national security.

Their case returns to court on July 27.

Mr Sher and Mr Khan were arrested on April 18 as part of Operation Pathway, which was launched early after a senior police officer exposed details of the plans.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, who resigned from the Metropolitan Police over the incident, was photographed with a secret document on his way in to Downing Street.