Nearly 100 terrorists could be released from prison next year, including a man who co-planned attacks with the London Bridge killer
A terrorist who co-planned attacks with the London Bridge killer is among nearly a hundred terrorists considered by the parole board for a prison release.
The 92 terrorist cases are active and ongoing, some of which may be decided before and by parole judges over the next year, depending on how long it takes to gather the evidence needed for the hearings, the PA reports.
Nazam Hussain’s struggle for freedom, who planned attacks together with London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan, could be decided in February.
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A decision could be made in March on whether Jawad Akbar, one of five terrorists who planned to bomb the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London and the Bluewater shopping center in Kent, in 2004, can be released.
Terrorist perpetrators, from left, Nazam Hussain, Jack Coulson, Rangzieb Ahmed, Jawad Akbar and Abdalraouf Abdallah who might be considered for release from prison by the parole board next year
(Image: PA Media)
Emergency laws preventing the early automatic release of terrorists behind bars were enacted last February after two attacks by released extremists in three months.
Terrorist offenders must now serve two-thirds of their sentences before they can be released, instead of half as before, and must first be reviewed by the parole board.
Another that could be reviewed in February is the case of Jack Coulson, who built a pipe bomb and downloaded a terrorist manual in his bedroom filled with Nazi memorabilia.
The following month is also expected to settle the case of terrorist boss Rangzieb Ahmed, who was the first to be convicted in Britain of directing terrorism after he headed a three-person al-Qaeda cell preparing a mass murder.
Islamist extremist Abdalraouf Abdallah, who was visited in prison by the Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi but denied any involvement in the attack, was recalled to prison earlier this year for violating licensing terms.
He is expected to be released in the first half of 2022, as is Aras Hamid, who tried to leave Britain to join fighters of what is known as the Islamic State.
Since the introduction of the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020, 117 cases have been referred to the Parole Board. To date, 11 have been released and 14 have been refused release.
Terrorism cases often take longer to review because of their “complexity” and “go through careful and thorough processes” to ensure that the panels have all the evidence they need to be heard, the Parole Board said.
Intelligence from security agencies is a “key part” of many terrorist probation tests, and decision-making bodies require “security clearance at the highest level” so they can hear sensitive evidence.
The panels are made up of members including former and current judges, police chiefs, prison directors, prosecutors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Terrorism cases make up a “small” proportion of the Committee’s cases, less than 100 of the roughly 16,000 cases handled each year.
However, due to the “critical nature of public protection” of the cases, the board is increasing the number of specialists they can handle and hopes to have around 70 members on the panel by early next year.
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A Parole Board spokesman said: “Protecting the public is always a top priority. Any convicted terrorist offender released into the community is subject to some of the strictest licensing terms available, including restrictions on whereabouts, contacts, internet, electronic devices, travel and work restrictions.
“They are also subjected to further precise monitoring within the framework of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa).”
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