Asian Image : 'We have nothing to hide'

'We have nothing to hide'

April 15, 2009

The father of a student arrested in terror raids in the North West has told reporters his son was not involved in any “mysterious plot”.

Abid Naseer, 22, was one of 12 men held after the North West Counter Terrorism Unit targeted alleged extremists in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire.

Speaking to reporters outside his home in Peshawar, Pakistan, the student’s father, Nasrullah Jan Khattak, said: “This is all about his prayers and his beard. I am his father and I know him.

”He is not involved in any mysterious plot. We have done nothing wrong.

”We have nothing to hide.”

Naseer came to Britain on a student visa around two-and-a-half years ago and to study a Masters Degree in information technology.

It is understood his visa is due to expire next September.

Armed police swooped on at least 14 addresses, including Liverpool’s John Moores University, during six hours of frantic activity last Wednesday.

Officers have been granted a further week to detain 11 men, who range in age from 22 to 41 and are being held in various locations across the country.