Latest news with #RoshonaraChoudhry
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Student who stabbed Labour MP in east London in 2010 to be freed from prison, says Parole Board
LONDON: A student who attempted to murder Labour MP Stephen Timms in May 2010 can be released from prison following a Parole Board decision. Roshonara Choudhry was 21 when she was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years for stabbing Timms twice in the stomach, and was also charged with two counts of possessing an offensive weapon. Choudhry, a former King's College London student, was radicalized after watching lectures by an Al-Qaeda cleric, and her attack was believed to have been the first Al-Qaeda-inspired attempt to assassinate a politician on British soil. Choudhry attacked the East Ham MP, the minister of state for social security and disability in the current UK government, while he held a constituency surgery at the Beckton Globe community center in east London. Following her arrest, she told police the stabbing was 'punishment' and 'to get revenge for the people of Iraq.' During a Parole Board hearing on May 20, a panel decided to release her from prison. It added that her imprisonment 'was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' Choudhry, now 36, participated in programs while in prison to understand her extreme beliefs, and her behavior was described by the panel as 'exemplary.' It added: 'Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. 'She would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views, having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it.' The panel recommended Choudhry's release on license, with conditions to live at a designated address, follow a curfew, and avoid contact with Timms.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Al-Qaeda-radicalised student who stabbed MP allowed to go free
A student who tried to murder an MP after being radicalised by an al-Qaeda cleric can be released from prison. Roshonara Choudhry, then 21, was jailed for life for a minimum of 15 years for stabbing Sir Stephen Timms twice in the stomach in May 2010, and for two offences of possessing an offensive weapon. The attack on the now social security minister is thought to be the first al-Qaeda inspired attempt to assassinate a politician on British soil. The former King's College London student attacked Sir Stephen, the MP for East Ham, as he held a constituency surgery at the Beckton Globe community centre in east London, smiling and pretending she was going to shake hands with him before stabbing him. After she was arrested, she told detectives the stabbing was 'punishment' and 'to get revenge for the people of Iraq'. But after a Parole Board hearing on May 20 this year, a panel decided she could be freed from jail. A decision summary said: 'After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' The document said that at the time of the attempted murder, Choudhry, now 36, had risk factors of problems with family relationships, development of extreme beliefs about the world and willingness to use violence to address perceived injustices. But she had engaged in programmes in prison to understand how her extreme beliefs developed and her conduct in prison was described as 'exemplary'. The summary added: 'Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. 'She had consistently shown over many years that she no longer held the same beliefs, that she was able to manage her emotional wellbeing effectively and she would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views, having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it.' The document said the panel did not receive a victim impact statement, or representations from the justice secretary. It was recommended that Choudhry be released on licence under conditions such as living at a designated address, with a specific curfew and subject to an exclusion zone to avoid contact with Sir Stephen. A Parole Board spokesman said: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP can be freed from prison
A student who tried to murder a Labour MP after watching radical online lectures by an al Qaida cleric can be released from prison, the Parole Board has said. Roshonara Choudhry, then 21, was jailed for life for a minimum of 15 years for stabbing Sir Stephen Timms twice in the stomach in May 2010, and for two offences of possessing an offensive weapon. The attack on the now social security minister is thought to be the first al Qaida-inspired attempt to assassinate a politician on British soil. The former King's College London student knifed East Ham MP Sir Stephen as he held a constituency surgery at the Beckton Globe community centre in east London, smiling and pretending she was going to shake hands with him before stabbing him. After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was 'punishment' and 'to get revenge for the people of Iraq'. But after a Parole Board hearing on May 20 this year, a panel decided she could be freed from jail. A decision summary said: 'After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' The document said that at the time of the attempted murder, Choudhry, now 36, had risk factors of problems with family relationships, development of extreme beliefs about the world and willingness to use violence to address perceived injustices. But she had engaged in programmes in prison to understand how her extreme beliefs developed and her conduct in prison was described as 'exemplary'. The summary added: 'Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. 'She had consistently shown over many years that she no longer held the same beliefs, that she was able to manage her emotional wellbeing effectively and she would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views, having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it.' The document said the panel did not receive a victim impact statement, or representations from the justice secretary. It was recommended that Choudhry be released on licence under conditions such as living at a designated address, with a specific curfew and subject to an exclusion zone to avoid contact with Sir Stephen. A Parole Board spokesman said: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Al-Qaeda inspired student who stabbed Labour MP can be freed from prison
Roshonara Choudhry has been cleared for release by the Parole Board after being jailed for 15 years for trying to murder Labour minister Stephen Timms after being radicalised online A student who tried to murder Labour minister Stephen Timms after being radicalised online has been cleared for release from prison. Roshonara Choudhry, then 21, was jailed for life for a minimum of 15 years for stabbing Sir Stephen twice in the stomach in 2010. The attack on the now social security minister is thought to be the first al Qaida-inspired attempt to assassinate a politician on British soil. Mr Timms, 69, has revealed Choudhry had written to him several times from jail. In a previous interview, he explained: "In the third of them, she says she's sorry about what happened. " So we're in a restorative justice process which may lead to me meeting her before she's released. I'd welcome that." Weeks before the attack on May 14, 2010, Choudhry had quit her English degree course at King's College London, where she had been expected to get a first. She became radicalised after watching online sermons by terror preachers and decided to kill Sir Stephen because he supported the Iraq war. The student knifed her local MP as he held a constituency surgery at the Beckton Globe community centre in east London. Choudhry smiled and pretended she was going to shake hands with him before repeatedly plunging the blade into her victim. After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was "punishment" and "to get revenge for the people of Iraq". But after a Parole Board hearing last month, a panel decided she could be freed from jail. A decision summary said: "After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public." The document said that at the time of the attempted murder, Choudhry, now 36, had risk factors of problems with family relationships, development of extreme beliefs and willingness to use violence to address perceived injustices. But she had engaged in programmes in prison to understand how her extreme beliefs developed and her conduct was described as "exemplary". The summary added: "Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. "She had consistently shown over many years that she no longer held the same beliefs, that she was able to manage her emotional wellbeing effectively and she would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views, having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it." The document said the panel did not receive a victim impact statement, or representations from the justice secretary. It was recommended that Choudhry be released on licence under conditions such as living at a designated address, with a specific curfew and subject to an exclusion zone to avoid contact with Sir Stephen. A Parole Board spokesman said: "Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Student jailed for life for trying to stab MP to death after being radicalised online by extremist preacher is to be freed after just 15 years
A student who tried to stab an MP to death after being radicalised online is set to be freed from jail after serving just 15 years. Roshonara Choudhry was just 21 when she was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 2010 for trying to murder Labour MP Stephen Timms because he voted in favour of the Iraq War. She attacked Mr Timms with a three-inch kitchen knife at a constituency surgery in Newham, east London, on May 14, 2010, after being radicalised as a university student to 'get revenge for the people of Iraq'. The married politician, 55 at the time of the attack, was stabbed twice in the stomach - suffering wound lacerations to the left lobe of his liver - but survived after surgery. Choudhry, of East Ham, London, was found guilty of attempted murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years. A previous parole hearing had recommended she be moved to an open prison, but this was rejected by the Justice Secretary. But now the Parole Board has recommended that she can be released. Choudhry, now 36, had an 'oral hearing' in May at which the Board concluded she can be let out on licence. A written summary, seen by MailOnline, stated that Choudhry had taken a number of 'accredited courses' over many years, including 'work with religious practitioners and psychologists to address her risk factors'. 'She had also completed training courses and engaged with the education department,' it added. 'Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. 'She had consistently shown over many years that she no longer held the same beliefs, that she was able to manage her emotional wellbeing effectively and she would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it.' The report stated: 'Ms Choudhry's prison conduct is exemplary.' Of the run-up to her murder attempt, the document said: 'At the time of her offending, these risk factors included problems in family relationships, development of extreme beliefs about the world, willingness to use violence to address perceived injustices, association with peers who shared her beliefs, seeking out materials and speakers who supported and encouraged her beliefs, being easily influenced by other people who had strong views, not managing aspect of her personality characteristics, and failing to seek help and guidance from professionals.' The board said that protective factors that would reduce the risk of reoffending include 'her beliefs being more moderate and realistic, insight into her actions, empathy for the victim of the offence, and for others in general, ability to control her thoughts and actions'. A release plan proposed by Choudhry's probation officer included 'to reside in specialised accommodation as well as strict limitations on Ms Choudhry's contacts, movements, activities and access to the internet'. The panel concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' Choudhry will also have to submit to an enhanced form of supervision or monitoring including signing-in times and a specified curfew. At her trial, the court was told that Choudhry was born to a Bangladeshi family in Newham and lived in East Ham. She was the eldest of five and a gifted student and linguist, fluent in four languages including French. She had obtained three A grade A Levels and went on to study at the prestigious King's College London. At the time of the attack, Choudhry had just dropped out of an English and Communications degree after two years. Behind the respectable facade, police discovered that Choudhry was angry that King's had given an award to the Israeli politician Shimon Peres, in addition to running anti-radicalisation programmes. These views came from an online radicalisation which the investigation revealed had been fuelled by sermons of Anwar al-Awlaki, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In November 2009, Choudhry began downloading more than 100 hours of sermons and lectures by Anwar al-Awlaki in which he preached the need for 'violent action to combat the atrocities of the West against Muslims around the world'. He claimed: 'Assassinations, bombings, and acts of arson are all legitimate forms of revenge against a system that relishes the sacrilege of Islam in the name of freedom.' In interviews with police, Choudhry explained how she had stumbled across his teachings on YouTube. She said: 'I wasn't searching for him, I just came across him.' Choudhry would watch two of the lectures a day and finished the complete set in the first week of May, days before the attack. The sermons changed her view on the Iraq War and its supporters. Prior to watching the lectures, she did not have particularly strong views about the conflict. She methodically planned the attack, registering the MP's pro Iraq War views and made an appointment to see him at 2.45pm on May 14 at his surgery at Beckton Globe community centre. Choudhry packed the three-inch blade and a back-up five-inch blade in case the first broke. She even emptied her bank account and paid off her student loans to ensure the British state could not seize her money after her arrest. At the surgery, Choudhry was called to Mr Timms's office at 3pm. She walked around the desk and extended her left hand to greet him. As she did so, she produced a knife in her right hand and stabbed him in the abdomen. She then thrust the knife at him again as he tried to ward off the blow. Mr Timms said: 'I thought she must have been coming to shake my hand. She looked friendly, she was smiling. 'I was a little puzzled because a Muslim woman dressed in that way would not normally be willing to shake a man's hand, still less to take the initiative to do so. 'She stabbed me twice and after that, I did retreat. I retreated into the toilet, which was behind where I was standing, lifted up my jumper and realised there was quite a lot of blood there.' When subsequently asked what she had been trying to do, Choudhry replied: 'I was trying to kill him.' She later added: 'I wasn't going to stop stabbing him until someone made me.' Mr Timms was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, having suffered lacerations to the left lobe of the liver and a perforation to the stomach. The injuries were 'potentially life-threatening', but he was released after five days and made a full recovery. Choudhry, who refused to attend the trial, appeared by videolink for sentencing. At the time, she showed no remorse. Mr Justice Cooke, told her: 'You said you ruined the rest of your life. You said it was worth it. You said you wanted to be a martyr.' He went on to tell Choudhry that he hoped she would come to understand the 'distorted nature' of her thinking and repent. Chris Phillips, the UK's former Head of the National Counter Terrorism, told MailOnline: 'The criminal justice system is not fit for purpose. Releasing dangerous terrorists is just not acceptable. 'Terrorists should be treated like mental health patients and only be released when safe. There needs to be proof that they have been deradicalised rather than an automatic release or parole.'
