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 Tariq Rehman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tariq Rehman. Show all posts
Times : Pakistani students held in anti-terror raids abandon deportation fight
Friday, August 21, 2009
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Amjad Malik,
bomb,
Janas Khan,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Amjad Malik,
Janas Khan,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Friday, August 21, 2009 |
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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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
bomb,
Easter,
email,
explosives,
Janas Khan,
Justice Mitting,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Friday, August 14, 2009 |
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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.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Bob Quick,
bomb,
Easter,
email,
Janas Khan,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, July 30, 2009 |
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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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Asian News : 'Terror' arrest student tells of shock at arrest
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
'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."
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."
Filed under
Bob Quick,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Sultan Sher,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Tuesday, July 21, 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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Pakistan Times : Detained student decides to leave Britain voluntarily
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Detained student decides to leave Britain voluntarily
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | May 31, 2009
LONDON (UK): Accepting the offer from the British Home Secretary to leave the UK voluntarily on the condition that the deportation order against him is withdrawn, a detained Pakistani student Tariq-ur-Rehman is likely to return home next week.
His lawyer Amjad Malik said on Saturday that he would meeting with the concerned British officials on Monday to finalise the arrangements whereby Tariq is flown home by Wednesday from Manchester where is currently detained.
“The British authorities have offered him a one way ticket to Pakistan and there are some other legal matters that would come under discussion at the meeting,” Malik said. The Miran Shah-based student has decided to accept the offer to leave the UK of his own volition in view of the family matters and can no longer afford to remain under detention, he said.
“Rahman has lost his mother and wife and has five children to look after therefore he has decided to accept the Home Secretary offer.”
Meanwhile, an independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation Lord Alex Carlyle has met three Pakistani students Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq Ur Rehman in appeal before Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lord Carlyle, who is a member of British Parliament Upper House reports on terrorism legislation as a monitor to improve its operation and is currently reviewing Operation Pathway conducted between April 8 to 21 that led to the arrest of 12 persons including 10 Pakistani students on terror charges which were subsequent dropped due to lack of evidence.
All students raised high handedness of Liverpool police who used armed response unit to arrest them during which few students sustained injuries and bruises, said lawyer Malik. According to him, they raised issues on their treatment and and questioned the wisdom as to why they are being deported when no charges were made.
Lord Carlyle earlier had a detailed meeting with Malik at his Rochdale Chamber who briefed him about students plight and their concerns. Malik also highlighted the legal lacuna that all detained under terrorism legislation must be afforded an opportunity to make a bail application after 7 days of their arrest.
Both Malik and Lord Carlyle also met Prison Governor Richard Vince and were assured that as these detainees are not criminals facing trial, they are being provided best facilities as possible including prayer time, 3 free times, halal food and leisure and training facilities.
Lord Carlyle assured the lawyer and the detainees that he will raise all these issues in his independent report and also will contact higher officials to relax some conditions regarding books and telephone access to their families forthwith.
'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau | May 31, 2009
LONDON (UK): Accepting the offer from the British Home Secretary to leave the UK voluntarily on the condition that the deportation order against him is withdrawn, a detained Pakistani student Tariq-ur-Rehman is likely to return home next week.
His lawyer Amjad Malik said on Saturday that he would meeting with the concerned British officials on Monday to finalise the arrangements whereby Tariq is flown home by Wednesday from Manchester where is currently detained.
“The British authorities have offered him a one way ticket to Pakistan and there are some other legal matters that would come under discussion at the meeting,” Malik said. The Miran Shah-based student has decided to accept the offer to leave the UK of his own volition in view of the family matters and can no longer afford to remain under detention, he said.
“Rahman has lost his mother and wife and has five children to look after therefore he has decided to accept the Home Secretary offer.”
Meanwhile, an independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation Lord Alex Carlyle has met three Pakistani students Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq Ur Rehman in appeal before Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lord Carlyle, who is a member of British Parliament Upper House reports on terrorism legislation as a monitor to improve its operation and is currently reviewing Operation Pathway conducted between April 8 to 21 that led to the arrest of 12 persons including 10 Pakistani students on terror charges which were subsequent dropped due to lack of evidence.
All students raised high handedness of Liverpool police who used armed response unit to arrest them during which few students sustained injuries and bruises, said lawyer Malik. According to him, they raised issues on their treatment and and questioned the wisdom as to why they are being deported when no charges were made.
Lord Carlyle earlier had a detailed meeting with Malik at his Rochdale Chamber who briefed him about students plight and their concerns. Malik also highlighted the legal lacuna that all detained under terrorism legislation must be afforded an opportunity to make a bail application after 7 days of their arrest.
Both Malik and Lord Carlyle also met Prison Governor Richard Vince and were assured that as these detainees are not criminals facing trial, they are being provided best facilities as possible including prayer time, 3 free times, halal food and leisure and training facilities.
Lord Carlyle assured the lawyer and the detainees that he will raise all these issues in his independent report and also will contact higher officials to relax some conditions regarding books and telephone access to their families forthwith.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Amjad Malik,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Saturday, May 30, 2009 |
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Asian News : Terror arrest student going home
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Terror arrest student going home
May 23, 2009
ONE of the Manchester students who were arrested after a series of terror raids has agreed to go back to Pakistan.
Tariq Ur Rehman has accepted deportation saying he could not handle the stress of being locked up in a category A prison.
He is amongst 10 students who are currently being detained and threatened with deportation despite not being charged during police raids last month where 12 people where arrested in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire under the terror act.
The students were released without charge but then handed over to UK Borders Agency for deportation.
Four of the students were kept at Strangeways and three have now been moved to high security prison Belmarsh - the home of Britain's toughest criminals and often described as Hellmarsh.
Said campaigner Tariq Mehmood who helped set up Justice for the North West Ten following their imprisonment: "It is understandable why someone should wish to leave a country that wants to incarcerate him as a top security prisoner without charge, without knowing when he will be released, without having the chance to talk to any of his loved ones, but what does it say of the system that is doing this?
"It is outrageous that young men who came here to study or anyone else for that matter should be forced into this choice. We must act together to get justice for Tariq Ur Rahman and all the others in his situation."
Parents of four of the students have also written a letter to PM Gordon Brown condemning the arrests and the following imprisonment.
In the letter they say: "Our children are still being punished for crimes that they never committed...We are a poor people and some of the parents have arranged loans for their kids to send them abroad for education," and have asked for their immediate release.
Since the arrests there have been many high profile meetings in Manchester condemning the terror raids and what campaigners have said to be "criminalisation of the Muslim community."
Councillor Afzal Khan from Cheetham, who met up with some of the parents of the detained students during a recent trip in Pakistan spoke of his visit at a public meeting at Saffron Restaurant in Cheetham Hill.
Said Mr Khan: "Some of these parents are very old and come from remote areas in Pakistan and don't fully understand what's going on.
"As far as they are concerned they have spent their life savings to send their sons to the UK for study and now they are being detained despite not being charged with anything.
"They are obviously worried. One parent told me that his son had never been in trouble in his life and he just couldn't understand why an innocent man was locked up in prison.
"They don't have any news and have not heard from their sons and have been kept in the dark by the authorities. They are also worried about the future of their sons and these arrest have basically put the students and their families in turmoil."
A petition, collected by Muslim Labour councillors and candidates in the city with over 4,000 signatures mainly from residents in Longsight and Cheetham asking for the release of the students, has been sent to the Home Secretary.
Added Mr Khan: "The huge number of people that have signed the petition goes to show the overwhelming support for these students.
"The local community feel very strongly about their detention and feel they should be set free."
May 23, 2009
ONE of the Manchester students who were arrested after a series of terror raids has agreed to go back to Pakistan.
Tariq Ur Rehman has accepted deportation saying he could not handle the stress of being locked up in a category A prison.
He is amongst 10 students who are currently being detained and threatened with deportation despite not being charged during police raids last month where 12 people where arrested in Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire under the terror act.
The students were released without charge but then handed over to UK Borders Agency for deportation.
Four of the students were kept at Strangeways and three have now been moved to high security prison Belmarsh - the home of Britain's toughest criminals and often described as Hellmarsh.
Said campaigner Tariq Mehmood who helped set up Justice for the North West Ten following their imprisonment: "It is understandable why someone should wish to leave a country that wants to incarcerate him as a top security prisoner without charge, without knowing when he will be released, without having the chance to talk to any of his loved ones, but what does it say of the system that is doing this?
"It is outrageous that young men who came here to study or anyone else for that matter should be forced into this choice. We must act together to get justice for Tariq Ur Rahman and all the others in his situation."
Parents of four of the students have also written a letter to PM Gordon Brown condemning the arrests and the following imprisonment.
In the letter they say: "Our children are still being punished for crimes that they never committed...We are a poor people and some of the parents have arranged loans for their kids to send them abroad for education," and have asked for their immediate release.
Since the arrests there have been many high profile meetings in Manchester condemning the terror raids and what campaigners have said to be "criminalisation of the Muslim community."
Councillor Afzal Khan from Cheetham, who met up with some of the parents of the detained students during a recent trip in Pakistan spoke of his visit at a public meeting at Saffron Restaurant in Cheetham Hill.
Said Mr Khan: "Some of these parents are very old and come from remote areas in Pakistan and don't fully understand what's going on.
"As far as they are concerned they have spent their life savings to send their sons to the UK for study and now they are being detained despite not being charged with anything.
"They are obviously worried. One parent told me that his son had never been in trouble in his life and he just couldn't understand why an innocent man was locked up in prison.
"They don't have any news and have not heard from their sons and have been kept in the dark by the authorities. They are also worried about the future of their sons and these arrest have basically put the students and their families in turmoil."
A petition, collected by Muslim Labour councillors and candidates in the city with over 4,000 signatures mainly from residents in Longsight and Cheetham asking for the release of the students, has been sent to the Home Secretary.
Added Mr Khan: "The huge number of people that have signed the petition goes to show the overwhelming support for these students.
"The local community feel very strongly about their detention and feel they should be set free."
Filed under
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
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The Nation : Pak HC goes thru humiliating search
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Pak HC goes thru humiliating search
By Asif Mehmood | May 17, 2009
LONDON-Pakistan High Commissioner to UK, Wajid Shamsul Hassan had to go through a painful process during his meeting with Pakistani students at UK high security Belmarsh prison on Saturday, entirely unlike what his counterpart enjoys in Pakistan, The Nation has learnt.
High Commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hassan went to see the Pakistani students Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan and Tariqur Rehman on reports that one of them was seriously disturbed during detention at notorious category A prison Berlmarsh and wanted to go back to Pakistan.
While talking to The Nation, he confirmed that he had to go through the same process what one goes through at the airport.
According to a source, he may have been reportedly photographed, fingerprinted and physically searched by taking off his shoes, belt and jacket before entering category A to see his country’s citizens.
According to a source, the same process was applied to lawyers and Consul Generals of Pakistan Masroor Junejo and Chaudhry Arif Mehmood at Manchester and Milton Keynes on their visits to prison on April 28, 2009 but Pakistani authorities did not raise any voice against it.
The humiliation with Pakistani diplomats is the violation of 1964 Vienna Convention and Counsellor Relations against the diplomatic norms.
By Asif Mehmood | May 17, 2009
LONDON-Pakistan High Commissioner to UK, Wajid Shamsul Hassan had to go through a painful process during his meeting with Pakistani students at UK high security Belmarsh prison on Saturday, entirely unlike what his counterpart enjoys in Pakistan, The Nation has learnt.
High Commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hassan went to see the Pakistani students Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan and Tariqur Rehman on reports that one of them was seriously disturbed during detention at notorious category A prison Berlmarsh and wanted to go back to Pakistan.
While talking to The Nation, he confirmed that he had to go through the same process what one goes through at the airport.
According to a source, he may have been reportedly photographed, fingerprinted and physically searched by taking off his shoes, belt and jacket before entering category A to see his country’s citizens.
According to a source, the same process was applied to lawyers and Consul Generals of Pakistan Masroor Junejo and Chaudhry Arif Mehmood at Manchester and Milton Keynes on their visits to prison on April 28, 2009 but Pakistani authorities did not raise any voice against it.
The humiliation with Pakistani diplomats is the violation of 1964 Vienna Convention and Counsellor Relations against the diplomatic norms.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Sunday, May 17, 2009 |
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Daily Times : Pak students shifted to hardened criminals’ cell in UK
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Pak students shifted to hardened criminals’ cell in UK
daily times monitor | Saturday, May 16, 2009
LAHORE: Three Pakistani students arrested in the UK have been shifted to the hardened criminals’ cell in the jail, Dunya News reported on Friday. The men were among a group of 12 picked up in a highly publicised counter-terrorism operation across northern England earlier this month. The channel quoted the British interior secretary as saying that the investigation was under progress against the students, Tariq Rehman, Abdul Wahab and Shoaib Khan.
daily times monitor | Saturday, May 16, 2009
LAHORE: Three Pakistani students arrested in the UK have been shifted to the hardened criminals’ cell in the jail, Dunya News reported on Friday. The men were among a group of 12 picked up in a highly publicised counter-terrorism operation across northern England earlier this month. The channel quoted the British interior secretary as saying that the investigation was under progress against the students, Tariq Rehman, Abdul Wahab and Shoaib Khan.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
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Telegraph : Pakistani men 'part of al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain'
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pakistani men 'part of al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain'
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | May 13, 2009
Ten Pakistani men released without charge after an investigation into an alleged plot to bomb shopping centres in Manchester were part of an al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain and should be deported, a tribunal has heard.
The men were arrested on April 8 after former Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick entered Downing Street with details of the operation against the men visible under his arm.
None of the men were charged with any crime but the government launched an attempt to have the men deported. ?THIS OK? [sic!]
Their lawyers are objecting to the deportation orders, arguing that they should be freed to continue their studies.
Robin Tam QC for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London: "All the applicants were members of a UK based network linked to al-Qaeda involved in attack planning.
"Each therefore poses a risk to national security and deportation would be considered in the national good."
Mr Tam said there was a "high risk they would re-engage in their former activity to the detriment of national security" and there was a risk they would abscond if granted bail.
All the group were "young single men with no close family ties to the UK and each claims to have been a student", Mr Tam added.
Three of the men, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, waived their rights to anonymity at the hearing.
The SIAC panel considered evidence behind closed doors before refusing bail for the three named men, along with a fourth, "XC."
Sibghat Kadri QC for Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, said the Pakistani High Commissioner in London had claimed the operation against the men was a "hoax" and added: "Other than what he was told upon arrest, that he was suspected to be a terrorist, he has never been informed of the substance of any allegations against him.
"During various interviews he was subjected to intensive interrogation. He was asked mostly about his association with friends, going to the mosque, meeting various friends and taking photographs."
He added that despite the police seizing computers, a TV and clothing which were subjected to forensic examination, "not a shred of evidence was found."
He added: "This case does not involve the liberty of the applicant but the wider question of trust that the community can repose in the security services in a multi-racial society and the subsequent faith in the Secretary of State to make a decision based on justice rather than fear of political failure."
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | May 13, 2009
Ten Pakistani men released without charge after an investigation into an alleged plot to bomb shopping centres in Manchester were part of an al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain and should be deported, a tribunal has heard.
The men were arrested on April 8 after former Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick entered Downing Street with details of the operation against the men visible under his arm.
None of the men were charged with any crime but the government launched an attempt to have the men deported. ?THIS OK? [sic!]
Their lawyers are objecting to the deportation orders, arguing that they should be freed to continue their studies.
Robin Tam QC for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London: "All the applicants were members of a UK based network linked to al-Qaeda involved in attack planning.
"Each therefore poses a risk to national security and deportation would be considered in the national good."
Mr Tam said there was a "high risk they would re-engage in their former activity to the detriment of national security" and there was a risk they would abscond if granted bail.
All the group were "young single men with no close family ties to the UK and each claims to have been a student", Mr Tam added.
Three of the men, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, waived their rights to anonymity at the hearing.
The SIAC panel considered evidence behind closed doors before refusing bail for the three named men, along with a fourth, "XC."
Sibghat Kadri QC for Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, said the Pakistani High Commissioner in London had claimed the operation against the men was a "hoax" and added: "Other than what he was told upon arrest, that he was suspected to be a terrorist, he has never been informed of the substance of any allegations against him.
"During various interviews he was subjected to intensive interrogation. He was asked mostly about his association with friends, going to the mosque, meeting various friends and taking photographs."
He added that despite the police seizing computers, a TV and clothing which were subjected to forensic examination, "not a shred of evidence was found."
He added: "This case does not involve the liberty of the applicant but the wider question of trust that the community can repose in the security services in a multi-racial society and the subsequent faith in the Secretary of State to make a decision based on justice rather than fear of political failure."
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Bob Quick,
bomb,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 |
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Telegraph : Pakistani men 'part of al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain'
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pakistani men 'part of al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain'
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | May 12, 2009
Ten Pakistani men released without charge after an investigation into an alleged plot to bomb shopping centres in Manchester were part of an al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain and should be deported, a tribunal has heard.
The men were arrested on April 8 after former Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick entered Downing Street with details of the operation against the men visible under his arm.
None of the men were charged with any crime but the government launched an attempt to have the men deported.
Their lawyers are objecting to the deportation orders, arguing that they should be freed to continue their studies.
Robin Tam QC for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London: "All the applicants were members of a UK based network linked to al-Qaeda involved in attack planning.
"Each therefore poses a risk to national security and deportation would be considered in the national good."
Mr Tam said there was a "high risk they would re-engage in their former activity to the detriment of national security" and there was a risk they would abscond if granted bail.
All the group were "young single men with no close family ties to the UK and each claims to have been a student", Mr Tam added.
Three of the men, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, waived their rights to anonymity at the hearing.
The SIAC panel considered evidence behind closed doors before refusing bail for the three named men, along with a fourth, "XC."
Sibghat Kadri QC for Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, said the Pakistani High Commissioner in London had claimed the operation against the men was a "hoax" and added: "Other than what he was told upon arrest, that he was suspected to be a terrorist, he has never been informed of the substance of any allegations against him.
"During various interviews he was subjected to intensive interrogation. He was asked mostly about his association with friends, going to the mosque, meeting various friends and taking photographs."
He added that despite the police seizing computers, a TV and clothing which were subjected to forensic examination, "not a shred of evidence was found."
He added: "This case does not involve the liberty of the applicant but the wider question of trust that the community can repose in the security services in a multi-racial society and the subsequent faith in the Secretary of State to make a decision based on justice rather than fear of political failure."
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | May 12, 2009
Ten Pakistani men released without charge after an investigation into an alleged plot to bomb shopping centres in Manchester were part of an al-Qaeda network planning attacks in Britain and should be deported, a tribunal has heard.
The men were arrested on April 8 after former Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick entered Downing Street with details of the operation against the men visible under his arm.
None of the men were charged with any crime but the government launched an attempt to have the men deported.
Their lawyers are objecting to the deportation orders, arguing that they should be freed to continue their studies.
Robin Tam QC for the Home Secretary told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London: "All the applicants were members of a UK based network linked to al-Qaeda involved in attack planning.
"Each therefore poses a risk to national security and deportation would be considered in the national good."
Mr Tam said there was a "high risk they would re-engage in their former activity to the detriment of national security" and there was a risk they would abscond if granted bail.
All the group were "young single men with no close family ties to the UK and each claims to have been a student", Mr Tam added.
Three of the men, Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan and Tariq ur-Rehman, waived their rights to anonymity at the hearing.
The SIAC panel considered evidence behind closed doors before refusing bail for the three named men, along with a fourth, "XC."
Sibghat Kadri QC for Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, said the Pakistani High Commissioner in London had claimed the operation against the men was a "hoax" and added: "Other than what he was told upon arrest, that he was suspected to be a terrorist, he has never been informed of the substance of any allegations against him.
"During various interviews he was subjected to intensive interrogation. He was asked mostly about his association with friends, going to the mosque, meeting various friends and taking photographs."
He added that despite the police seizing computers, a TV and clothing which were subjected to forensic examination, "not a shred of evidence was found."
He added: "This case does not involve the liberty of the applicant but the wider question of trust that the community can repose in the security services in a multi-racial society and the subsequent faith in the Secretary of State to make a decision based on justice rather than fear of political failure."
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
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The Nation (Pakistan) : Pak students denied bail
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pak students denied bail
By: Asif Mehmood | May 13, 2009
LONDON - A British court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of four Pakistani students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds.
Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abid Naseer were arrested in bungled operation PATHWAY on April 8 on suspicion of their involvement in a “terror plot”.
The Barrister of students, Sibghat Ullah Qadri QC in the Special Immigration Appeal Commission of the Royal court argued that National security should not be invoked in this case because no criminal charges were pressed by the crown prosecution service after 13 days of rigorous interrogation.
The Lawyer further argued that chief constable of Greater Manchester police Peter Fahy confirmed in a Press statement that these students are innocent until proven guilty and free to walk away.
Barrister Qadri and solicitor advocate Amjad Malik argued that commission should look at the secret evidence provided by MI5 and MI6 with great caution as there assessment has proven faulty here and abroad in cases of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and forest gate terror arrests.
It was further submitted to the court that Justice should be seen to be done as it is pivotal for British justice system to gain the confidence of Muslim and minority communities for the sake of national harmony and good race relations which has a direct impact on the national security of the UK.
Barrister Ms Harrison representing one student Abid Nasir said that the Secretary of State does not have clear indication that these boys can be sent back to Pakistan without fear of torture, therefore, power to make a deportation order is an administrative abuse of power.
George Brown and John Nicholson representing Tariq-ur-Rehman and Shoaib Khan said that their clients are lawful entrants and have the right to bail.
Earlier Robin Tam QC, arguing on behalf of the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, opposed the bail for all four Pakistani students on the premise that no restriction can stop them from continuing unlawful activities and they, if released, will continue to be part of Al-Qaeda’s London-based network. He assured the court that talks are under way with Pakistani authorities to seek assurances that these students will not be tortured upon return.
Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Daly of the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, while refusing the bail application, said the court has further directed the Secretary of State to produce open and secret evidence by July 6, 2009.
The next hearing of these appeals will be on July 27 at the Royal Courts of Justice.
By: Asif Mehmood | May 13, 2009
LONDON - A British court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of four Pakistani students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds.
Abdul Wahab Khan, Shoaib Khan, Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abid Naseer were arrested in bungled operation PATHWAY on April 8 on suspicion of their involvement in a “terror plot”.
The Barrister of students, Sibghat Ullah Qadri QC in the Special Immigration Appeal Commission of the Royal court argued that National security should not be invoked in this case because no criminal charges were pressed by the crown prosecution service after 13 days of rigorous interrogation.
The Lawyer further argued that chief constable of Greater Manchester police Peter Fahy confirmed in a Press statement that these students are innocent until proven guilty and free to walk away.
Barrister Qadri and solicitor advocate Amjad Malik argued that commission should look at the secret evidence provided by MI5 and MI6 with great caution as there assessment has proven faulty here and abroad in cases of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and forest gate terror arrests.
It was further submitted to the court that Justice should be seen to be done as it is pivotal for British justice system to gain the confidence of Muslim and minority communities for the sake of national harmony and good race relations which has a direct impact on the national security of the UK.
Barrister Ms Harrison representing one student Abid Nasir said that the Secretary of State does not have clear indication that these boys can be sent back to Pakistan without fear of torture, therefore, power to make a deportation order is an administrative abuse of power.
George Brown and John Nicholson representing Tariq-ur-Rehman and Shoaib Khan said that their clients are lawful entrants and have the right to bail.
Earlier Robin Tam QC, arguing on behalf of the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, opposed the bail for all four Pakistani students on the premise that no restriction can stop them from continuing unlawful activities and they, if released, will continue to be part of Al-Qaeda’s London-based network. He assured the court that talks are under way with Pakistani authorities to seek assurances that these students will not be tortured upon return.
Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Daly of the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, while refusing the bail application, said the court has further directed the Secretary of State to produce open and secret evidence by July 6, 2009.
The next hearing of these appeals will be on July 27 at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Justice Mitting,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
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APP : Detained Pakistani students seek bail
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Detained Pakistani students seek bail
May 5, 2009
LONDON, May 5 (APP)- Four out of 10 Pakistani national students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds have lodged their bail applications with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Those who have moved the bail application are Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan, Tariq ur Rehman and Abid Naseer, the defence team announced Tuesday.
Special Immigration Appeals Commission which was set up in 1999 under an Act of Parliament is a specialist tribunal adjudicating appeals where a person is considered to be a threat to national security of the country, will hear their appeals and bails.
Tribunal consists of a Senior High Court Judge, one Immigration Judge as a member and one person from KPMG group having experience of dealing with security matters and evidence.
Its proceedings are conducted in half camera and half public. In the camera proceedings a Special Advocate is appointed by the Government to protect the interest of the accused in secret session where all the secret evidence is presented and analysed.
Appellants are being deported on grounds of posing threat to national security of UK as being concerned in ‘Islamic extremist activities and for the reason that they were investigated under terrorism Act 2000 since April 8 last month .
Though no charges were brought under criminal proceedings and on April 21, they were released from criminal investigation to UK Border Agency who initiated immigration deportation proceedings.
Barristers Sibghat ullah Kadri QC, John Nicholson, George Brown will argue the bail applications before SIAC upon instructions of Amjad Malik Solicitors.
The Defence team has urged the Pakistan High Commission to accelerate efforts to seek a facility for detainees for a telephone access to their legal team, family and Consulate.
May 5, 2009
LONDON, May 5 (APP)- Four out of 10 Pakistani national students currently detained at Manchester prison for deportation on national security grounds have lodged their bail applications with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Those who have moved the bail application are Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan, Tariq ur Rehman and Abid Naseer, the defence team announced Tuesday.
Special Immigration Appeals Commission which was set up in 1999 under an Act of Parliament is a specialist tribunal adjudicating appeals where a person is considered to be a threat to national security of the country, will hear their appeals and bails.
Tribunal consists of a Senior High Court Judge, one Immigration Judge as a member and one person from KPMG group having experience of dealing with security matters and evidence.
Its proceedings are conducted in half camera and half public. In the camera proceedings a Special Advocate is appointed by the Government to protect the interest of the accused in secret session where all the secret evidence is presented and analysed.
Appellants are being deported on grounds of posing threat to national security of UK as being concerned in ‘Islamic extremist activities and for the reason that they were investigated under terrorism Act 2000 since April 8 last month .
Though no charges were brought under criminal proceedings and on April 21, they were released from criminal investigation to UK Border Agency who initiated immigration deportation proceedings.
Barristers Sibghat ullah Kadri QC, John Nicholson, George Brown will argue the bail applications before SIAC upon instructions of Amjad Malik Solicitors.
The Defence team has urged the Pakistan High Commission to accelerate efforts to seek a facility for detainees for a telephone access to their legal team, family and Consulate.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
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Pakistan Times : Appeal against deportation filed by detained Pak students
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Appeal against deportation filed by detained Pak students
'Pakistan Times' Foreign Desk | May 2, 2009
LONDON (UK): Four out of the ten Pakistani students arrested on terrorism suspicion by the British authorities last month and subsequently released after the charges were dropped, have now filed appeal against their deportation.
This was stated by lawyer Amjad Malik who was asked by Pakistan High Commission to represent 4 out of 10 Pakistani national students currently detained at Manchester prison and awaiting deportation on national security grounds.
The first hearing of all 10 students appeal is likely to be set in first two weeks of the current month. The four students are kept in highly secure “category A” at Manchester prison on the orders of UK Border Agency.
Malik said that legal team along with Pakistani Consul General in Manchester Masroor Junejo and Welfare Attache Amir Nisar Chaudhry met all detained students namely Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan, Tariq ur Rehman and Abid Naseer who have instructed him to file their appeals which have been lodged with the required court with effect from April 28.
Though no charges were brought under criminal proceedings against the students and on April 21 they were released from criminal investigation to UK Border Agency who initiated immigration deportation proceedings.
According to Malik, the appeals have been lodged on the grounds that the appellants are racially discriminated being Pakistani nationals and being Muslims and that it would be against appellant’s rights under ECHR for UK to remove or deport them from Britain because the country is signatory to the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights.
Furthermore, the British Home Secretary has not put forward any concrete evidence in her contention that the appellants are a threat to “national security” of the UK and or even if there is any reason to support that contention, the proper course of action would be to charge the appellant and brought them before the court of law in a criminal proceedings.
But such proceedings has never been ensued and no charges were put forward by the Crown Prosecution Service. Therefore there is no evidence to support any charges against the appellants and their arrest, detention and continuing incarceration is unlawful, and unreasonable and without any substance; The appeal also said the appellants have been subjected to a one sided media trial at that time when they were incommunicado without a lawyer, consulate access and without a phone call to their family.
They have also felt that they have been made a scapegoat and immigration decision is but an effort to avoid answers to questions on the failure of the operation “Pathway” in order to divert attention from their innocence as the appellants feel that they are “innocent” until ‘proven guilty’ by a court of law.
'Pakistan Times' Foreign Desk | May 2, 2009
LONDON (UK): Four out of the ten Pakistani students arrested on terrorism suspicion by the British authorities last month and subsequently released after the charges were dropped, have now filed appeal against their deportation.
This was stated by lawyer Amjad Malik who was asked by Pakistan High Commission to represent 4 out of 10 Pakistani national students currently detained at Manchester prison and awaiting deportation on national security grounds.
The first hearing of all 10 students appeal is likely to be set in first two weeks of the current month. The four students are kept in highly secure “category A” at Manchester prison on the orders of UK Border Agency.
Malik said that legal team along with Pakistani Consul General in Manchester Masroor Junejo and Welfare Attache Amir Nisar Chaudhry met all detained students namely Shoaib Khan, Abdul Wahab Khan, Tariq ur Rehman and Abid Naseer who have instructed him to file their appeals which have been lodged with the required court with effect from April 28.
Though no charges were brought under criminal proceedings against the students and on April 21 they were released from criminal investigation to UK Border Agency who initiated immigration deportation proceedings.
According to Malik, the appeals have been lodged on the grounds that the appellants are racially discriminated being Pakistani nationals and being Muslims and that it would be against appellant’s rights under ECHR for UK to remove or deport them from Britain because the country is signatory to the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights.
Furthermore, the British Home Secretary has not put forward any concrete evidence in her contention that the appellants are a threat to “national security” of the UK and or even if there is any reason to support that contention, the proper course of action would be to charge the appellant and brought them before the court of law in a criminal proceedings.
But such proceedings has never been ensued and no charges were put forward by the Crown Prosecution Service. Therefore there is no evidence to support any charges against the appellants and their arrest, detention and continuing incarceration is unlawful, and unreasonable and without any substance; The appeal also said the appellants have been subjected to a one sided media trial at that time when they were incommunicado without a lawyer, consulate access and without a phone call to their family.
They have also felt that they have been made a scapegoat and immigration decision is but an effort to avoid answers to questions on the failure of the operation “Pathway” in order to divert attention from their innocence as the appellants feel that they are “innocent” until ‘proven guilty’ by a court of law.
Filed under
Abdul Wahab Khan,
Abid Naseer,
Amjad Malik,
Manchester,
Shoaib Khan,
Tariq Rehman
by Winter Patriot
on Saturday, May 02, 2009 |
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