Six jailed for supporting terror

Six men convicted of supporting terrorism through speeches at a London mosque have been handed jail terms.

Among them is Muslim preacher Abu Izzadeen, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.

The speeches, on 9 November 2004, came as US and British forces fought fierce battles in Falluja, Iraq.

The sentencing was delayed after one of the guilty men, who had jumped bail for 10 days, turned himself in.

Shah Jalal Hussain, 25, surrendered at Kingston Crown Court after he went missing when the jury began deliberations on 8 April, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

He was convicted of terrorist fundraising and breaking his bail conditions and jailed for two years and three months.

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Looks like terrorism can be found even in one of the most precautious country on earth.

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Terrorism convict released early

A man convicted of a terrorism offence has been released 17 days early under the scheme to reduce jail overcrowding, the government has confirmed.

Yassin Nassari left Wakefield Prison on 11 February 2008, after being jailed last summer for three and a half years.

He was arrested in May 2006 at Luton Airport carrying what police said were blueprints for a rocket in his luggage.

The Ministry of Justice said Nassari had met the release criteria because he was not guilty of serious violence.

Under the terms of the government's early release scheme, prisoners are eligible to leave prison 18 days earlier than normally expected, if they had been jailed for less than four years and not committed a serious violent offence.

Nassari, 28, from Ealing in west London, was convicted in July 2007 of having articles of use to terrorists.

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I do not understand how a potential terroristic threat cannot be considered a serious offense. Although he did not commit any violent acts, he was still in the process of conspiracy.

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Five jailed for £53m cash robbery

Five men found guilty of being involved in the £53m raid on the Securitas depot in Kent have been given minimum jail terms of between 10 and 15 years.

During the raid in Tonbridge in 2006, depot manager Colin Dixon and his family were kidnapped at gunpoint by men posing as police officers.

Since the raid police have recovered £21m of the stolen cash but the remaining £32m is still missing.

The five were convicted on kidnap, robbery and firearms charges.

Those ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years were: Stuart Royle, 49, of Allen Street, Maidstone, Kent; Lea Rusha, 35, of Lambersart Close, Southborough, Kent; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge; and garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of The Green, Welling, south-east London.

All four were given indeterminate sentences.

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Does this mean that Great Britain is going to have to increase their internal security even more in order to protect their citizens?

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Terror detention plans unveiled

The government has unveiled plans to let police hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without them being charged.

The Counter Terrorism Bill also proposes "full use of DNA" in investigations and greater use of post-charge questioning.

Some senior police officers support extending terror detentions beyond the current 28 days, but it is opposed by Lib Dems, Tories and rebel Labour MPs.

The bill says such powers should be used only "if exceptional circumstances require it".

A survey by the Independent newspaper last month suggested 38 Labour MPs were against the 42-day detention plan - more than the 34 needed to defeat it.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, mindful of a potential rebellion, has been meeting backbenchers to press her case.
In a statement she said:

"We all need to work together to tackle the terrorist challenge and we have
consulted widely on the proposed measures. We have listened to the concerns of
community groups and others and the proposals brought forward today aim to
strike the right balance between the need to protect human rights and ensuring
police have the powers they need, when they need them, to tackle terrorism."

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This is importatnt because it shows that the U.K. is willing to do more to fight terrorism within thir country. It also shows that Parliament is divided on the issue and that ths bill may take time to be enacted.

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