Latest news with #al-Qaeda
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Evil terrorist confesses he masterminded 7/7 bombings – but could be freed in DAYS despite ‘grave concerns from cops'
FURY erupted last night over the imminent release on to British streets of a terrorist who has admitted being a mastermind behind 9/11 and the 7/7 London bombings. Despite his confession while in US custody Haroon Aswat, 50, could still be freed from a secure unit onto UK streets without a full risk assessment within days. 4 Haroon Aswat, 50, could be freed from a secure unit onto UK streets without a full risk assessment within days Credit: John Cobb 4 In 1999 Aswat helped Finsbury Park mosque hate preacher Abu Hamza set up a US terror camp According to US court documents obtained by The Sun, the al-Qaeda fiend confessed he was a 'mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and a 2005 terrorist attack in the UK'. But he could be released from a secure psychiatric unit within days thanks to a legal loophole blocking him from being subjected to stringent risk checks. Shadow Justice Secretary In April, we told how worried counter-terror chiefs — who believe Aswat, 50, is a continuing threat to national security — had to apply for permission to keep tabs on him. But he will be subject only to a notification order requiring him to register his address and tell police of his future travel plans. We put in legal requests for the disclosure of statements made to the High Court during the application for the notification order. Aswat was arrested but never put on trial for the Most read in The Sun But it can now be revealed that he confessed to his role while in a US jail in 2017 following his extradition on other terror charges. The US District Court document states: 'The defendant's crimes are incredibly serious. He is a terrorist and foot soldier of al-Qaeda trained to commit acts of violence. 'His comments while in prison and his numerous disciplinary violations indicate he still supports al-Qaeda and remains dangerous. Al Qaeda 'mastermind' linked to 7/7 attack set to be freed to walk UK streets despite fears he is 'still a risk' 'In 2017 he told staff he was associated with al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden was his 'commander' and that he would 'behead all of you'. 'In March 2017 the defendant stated, 'if you think I am a terrorist, I don't shy away from my responsibility', and also stated he was a mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and a 2005 terrorist attack in the UK.' In his witness statement Det Chief Supt Gareth Rees, head of operations for the Met's SO15 Counter Terrorism Command, said of Aswat: 'He has spoken positively of his time with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and expressed aspirations to reconnect with them. 'Based on my experience, this is conduct which gives me grave concerns about the risk which the defendant poses to the UK's national security and to the public. 4 Aswat has admitted being a mastermind behind the 7/7 London bombings Credit: EPA 'The assessment of medical practitioners is that he currently has capacity to make complex decisions and understand complex restrictions when mentally stable. 'However, he may temporarily lose capacity if he were to relapse into a psychotic state.' Aswat trained in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan months before the 2001 terror attacks which claimed more than 3,000 lives. Documents also revealed his name on a ledger recovered from a house in Pakistan where the 9/11 'architect' Khalid Sheikh Mohammed stayed. In 1999 Aswat helped Finsbury Park mosque hate preacher Abu Hamza set up a US terror camp. In 2002 he stayed at an al-Qaeda safe house in Pakistan where he met two 7/7 bombers. In 2005 police traced 20 calls to a phone linked to Aswat made by the 7/7 bombers before their attack. That year Aswat was arrested in He was deported to the UK and held under a US arrest warrant. Aswat fought extradition on mental health grounds but after a nine-year battle was sent to the US in 2014. A year later he pleaded guilty to terror charges. His 20-year jail term was cut to seven years because of time detained here at Broadmoor Hospital. Aswat, of Batley, West Yorks, was deported back to the UK in December 2022 and is held under the Mental Health Act at Bethlem Royal Hospital in South London. Doctors say he is well enough to be released 'in the relatively near future' but UK law means he cannot be formally risk-assessed while detained. 4 Aswat as also confessed to involvement in 9/11 Credit: Getty A report compiled in 2022 by psychiatrist Dr Richard Taylor concluded he still posed a serious risk. It highlighted Aswat has 'continued to express violent extremist Islamic ideology' even when in a relatively stable mental state. Other police officers who gave statements to the High Court in April also expressed concerns. Det Sgt David Taylor said: 'I assess the defendant has a significant involvement within Islamist extremism, involvement in terrorism and a long-standing association with others holding radical beliefs. 'I believe the defendant's US conviction, historic involvement with Islamist extremist groups and previously reported mindset alongside his vulnerable and fragile mental health do pose a potential risk to the security of the UK.' Det Insp Karen Bradley warned of danger if Aswat was excluded from normal risk checks applied to terrorists after release. No formal terrorist risk assessment has been carried out since the defendant's return here Mr Justice Jay She said: 'In my professional judgment, I believe that Mr Aswat still poses a potential terrorist risk.' The High Court was told that, owing to his detention, Aswat was not allowed to be assessed under Extremism Risk Guidance protocols. Under the notification order, he will not be under surveillance or wear a tag and can travel abroad if he tells cops in advance. Granting the order, Mr Justice Jay noted: 'No formal terrorist risk assessment has been carried out since the defendant's return here. 'The circumstances of his detention have precluded that. 'However, on the basis of the material which is available the defendant has been assessed by various police officers that he remains a risk to national security.' Protecting our national security is the very first priority of this government and if any individual poses a threat to that security A Government spokesman We had to formally notify Aswat of our request for more details before the Met Police agreed to release them and also agreed to notify medics caring for him prior to publication. Papers also revealed police and courts were obliged to consider his human rights when applying for the notification order. Read more on the Irish Sun A Government spokesman said: 'Protecting our national security is the very first priority of this government and if any individual poses a threat to that security, the police and intelligence services have a range of powers they can apply to deal with that threat. 'We will always do whatever is necessary inside the law to protect the public from any risk posed by former terrorist offenders or people of terrorist concern.'
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Evil terrorist confesses he masterminded 7/7 bombings – but could be freed in DAYS despite ‘grave concerns from cops'
FURY erupted last night over the imminent release on to British streets of a terrorist who has admitted being a mastermind behind 9/11 and the 7/7 London bombings. Despite his confession while in US custody Haroon Aswat, 50, could still be freed from a secure unit onto UK streets without a full risk assessment within days. 4 Haroon Aswat, 50, could be freed from a secure unit onto UK streets without a full risk assessment within days Credit: John Cobb 4 In 1999 Aswat helped Finsbury Park mosque hate preacher Abu Hamza set up a US terror camp According to US court documents obtained by The Sun, the al-Qaeda fiend confessed he was a 'mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and a 2005 terrorist attack in the UK'. But he could be released from a secure psychiatric unit within days thanks to a legal loophole blocking him from being subjected to stringent risk checks. Click here to watch The Sun's documentary on the horrific 7/7 bombings - Britain's worst ever terror attack Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'This despicable man was behind one of the most deadly attacks in modern history. He should never experience freedom again." In April, we told how worried counter-terror chiefs — who believe Aswat, 50, is a continuing threat to national security — had to apply for permission to keep tabs on him. But he will be subject only to a notification order requiring him to register his address and tell police of his future travel plans. We put in legal requests for the disclosure of statements made to the High Court during the application for the notification order. Aswat was arrested but never put on trial for the 7/7 bombings which claimed 52 lives and injured 800 on the capital's Tube trains and buses. But it can now be revealed that he confessed to his role while in a US jail in 2017 following his extradition on other terror charges. The US District Court document states: 'The defendant's crimes are incredibly serious. He is a terrorist and foot soldier of al-Qaeda trained to commit acts of violence. 'His comments while in prison and his numerous disciplinary violations indicate he still supports al-Qaeda and remains dangerous. Al Qaeda 'mastermind' linked to 7/7 attack set to be freed to walk UK streets despite fears he is 'still a risk' 'In 2017 he told staff he was associated with al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden was his 'commander' and that he would 'behead all of you'. 'In March 2017 the defendant stated, 'if you think I am a terrorist, I don't shy away from my responsibility', and also stated he was a mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and a 2005 terrorist attack in the UK.' In his witness statement Det Chief Supt Gareth Rees, head of operations for the Met's SO15 Counter Terrorism Command, said of Aswat: 'He has spoken positively of his time with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and expressed aspirations to reconnect with them. 'Based on my experience, this is conduct which gives me grave concerns about the risk which the defendant poses to the UK's national security and to the public. 4 Aswat has admitted being a mastermind behind the 7/7 London bombings Credit: EPA 'The assessment of medical practitioners is that he currently has capacity to make complex decisions and understand complex restrictions when mentally stable. 'However, he may temporarily lose capacity if he were to relapse into a psychotic state.' Aswat trained in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan months before the 2001 terror attacks which claimed more than 3,000 lives. Documents also revealed his name on a ledger recovered from a house in Pakistan where the 9/11 'architect' Khalid Sheikh Mohammed stayed. In 1999 Aswat helped Finsbury Park mosque hate preacher Abu Hamza set up a US terror camp. In 2002 he stayed at an al-Qaeda safe house in Pakistan where he met two 7/7 bombers. In 2005 police traced 20 calls to a phone linked to Aswat made by the 7/7 bombers before their attack. That year Aswat was arrested in Zambia while possessing a terror manual and suspected bomb parts. He was deported to the UK and held under a US arrest warrant. Aswat fought extradition on mental health grounds but after a nine-year battle was sent to the US in 2014. A year later he pleaded guilty to terror charges. His 20-year jail term was cut to seven years because of time detained here at Broadmoor Hospital. Aswat, of Batley, West Yorks, was deported back to the UK in December 2022 and is held under the Mental Health Act at Bethlem Royal Hospital in South London. Doctors say he is well enough to be released 'in the relatively near future' but UK law means he cannot be formally risk-assessed while detained. 4 Aswat as also confessed to involvement in 9/11 Credit: Getty A report compiled in 2022 by psychiatrist Dr Richard Taylor concluded he still posed a serious risk. It highlighted Aswat has 'continued to express violent extremist Islamic ideology' even when in a relatively stable mental state. Other police officers who gave statements to the High Court in April also expressed concerns. Det Sgt David Taylor said: 'I assess the defendant has a significant involvement within Islamist extremism, involvement in terrorism and a long-standing association with others holding radical beliefs. 'I believe the defendant's US conviction, historic involvement with Islamist extremist groups and previously reported mindset alongside his vulnerable and fragile mental health do pose a potential risk to the security of the UK.' Det Insp Karen Bradley warned of danger if Aswat was excluded from normal risk checks applied to terrorists after release. No formal terrorist risk assessment has been carried out since the defendant's return here Mr Justice Jay She said: 'In my professional judgment, I believe that Mr Aswat still poses a potential terrorist risk.' The High Court was told that, owing to his detention, Aswat was not allowed to be assessed under Extremism Risk Guidance protocols. Under the notification order, he will not be under surveillance or wear a tag and can travel abroad if he tells cops in advance. Granting the order, Mr Justice Jay noted: 'No formal terrorist risk assessment has been carried out since the defendant's return here. 'The circumstances of his detention have precluded that. 'However, on the basis of the material which is available the defendant has been assessed by various police officers that he remains a risk to national security.' Protecting our national security is the very first priority of this government and if any individual poses a threat to that security A Government spokesman We had to formally notify Aswat of our request for more details before the Met Police agreed to release them and also agreed to notify medics caring for him prior to publication. Papers also revealed police and courts were obliged to consider his human rights when applying for the notification order. A Government spokesman said: 'Protecting our national security is the very first priority of this government and if any individual poses a threat to that security, the police and intelligence services have a range of powers they can apply to deal with that threat. 'We will always do whatever is necessary inside the law to protect the public from any risk posed by former terrorist offenders or people of terrorist concern.'
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
IS, al-Qaeda threat intense in Africa, with growing risks in Syria: UN
The threat from Islamic State and al-Qaeda extremists and their affiliates is most intense in parts of Africa, and risks are growing in Syria, which both groups view as a strategic base for external operations, UN experts said in a new report. Their report to the UN Security Council circulated Wednesday said West Africa's al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, known as JNIM, and East Africa's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab have continued to increase the territory under their control. The experts monitoring sanctions against the two groups said the organisation's pivot towards parts of Africa continued" partly because of Islamic State losses in the Middle East due to counterterrorism pressures. There are also increasing concerns about foreign terrorist fighters returning to Central Asia and Afghanistan, aiming to undermine regional security, they said. The Islamic State also continues to represent the most significant threat to Europe and the Americas, the experts said, often by individuals radicalised via social media and encrypted messaging platforms by its Afghanistan-based Khorasan group. In the United States, the experts said several alleged terrorist attack plots were largely motivated by the Gaza and Israel conflict, or by individuals radicalised by IS, also known as ISIL. They pointed to an American who pledged support to IS and drove into a crowd in New Orleans on January 1, killing 14 people in the deadliest attack by al-Qaeda or the Islamic State in the US since 2016. In addition, they said, Authorities disrupted attacks, including an ISIL-inspired plot to conduct a mass shooting at a military base in Michigan, and the IS Khorasan affiliate issued warnings of plots targeting Americans. In Africa's Sahel region, the experts said, JNIM expanded its area of operations, operating with relative freedom in northern Mali and most of Burkina Faso. There was also a resurgence of activity by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, particularly along the Niger and Nigeria border, where the group was seeking to entrench itself. JNIM reached a new level of operational capability to conduct complex attacks with drones, improvised explosive devices and large numbers of fighters against well-defended barracks, the experts said. In East Africa, they said, al-Shabab maintained its resilience, intensifying operations in southern and central Somalia and continuing its ties with Yemen's Houthi rebels. The two groups have reportedly exchanged weapons and the Houthis have trained al-Shabab fighters, they said. Syria, the experts said, remains in a volatile and precarious phase, six months after the ouster of President Bashar Assad, with unnamed countries warning of growing risks posed by both IS and al-Qaeda. Member states estimated that more than 5,000 foreign terrorist fighters were involved in the military operation in which Damascus was taken on December 8, the experts' 27-page report said. Syria's new interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa led the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, once an al-Qaeda affiliate that later split from it. He has promised that the country will transition to a system that includes Syria's mosaic of religious and ethnic groups under fair elections, but sceptics question whether that will actually happen. The experts expressed concern at the Syrian military's announcement of several senior appointments including prominent Syrian armed faction leaders and six positions for foreigners three with the rank of brigadier general and three with the rank of colonel. The ideological affiliation of many of these individuals was unknown, although several were likely to hold violent extremist views and external ambitions," the report said. As for financing, the experts said the HTS takeover in Syria was considered to pose financial problems for the Islamic State and likely to lead to a decline in its revenues. Salaries for Islamic State fighters were reduced to USD 50-70 per month and USD 35 per family, lower than ever, and not paid regularly, suggesting financial difficulties, said the experts, who did not give previous salaries or family payments. They said both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State vary methods to obtain money according to locations and their ability to exploit resources, tax local communities, kidnap for ransom and exploit businesses. While the extremist groups predominantly move money through cash transfers and informal money transfer systems known as hawalas, the experts said the Islamic State has increasingly used female couriers and hawala systems where data is stored in the cloud to avoid detection, and safe drop boxes where money is deposited at exchange offices and can only be retrieved with a password or code.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Who is Shama Parveen Ansari? Jharkhand woman living in Bengaluru behind al-Qaeda propaganda network; has 2 Facebook accounts, 10k Instagram followers
Shama Parveen's arrest from her rented flat in Hebbal has sent shockwaves through intelligence circles. NEW DELHI: Shama Parveen Ansari, a 30-year-old woman originally from Jharkhand and living in Bengaluru for the past three years, has emerged as a key figure in a growing radicalisation network allegedly promoting al-Qaeda's ideology in India. Her arrest by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from her rented flat in Hebbal's Manorayanapalya has sent shockwaves through intelligence circles. Parveen, who was residing with her younger brother, had no formal employment and lived a quiet, low-profile life — but behind the scenes, she was allegedly amplifying jihadist propaganda through social media. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru According to investigators, Parveen actively ran two Facebook pages and an Instagram account with over 10,000 followers. Through these platforms, she reportedly shared radical sermons, speeches, and anti-India content aligned with the ideology of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), a banned terrorist outfit. She allegedly called upon followers to support jihadist causes and engaged with content designed to radicalise viewers. The ATS says Parveen was directly linked to one of the four men arrested last week in a multi-state operation that uncovered a broader terror module. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it Undo She was reportedly following and interacting with several radicalised individuals online who had already been under surveillance. Authorities believe she served as a digital sympathiser, content distributor, and possibly a recruiter. Shama Parveen was produced before a local court after her arrest and a transit warrant was secured to move her to Gujarat for further questioning. Officials describe her as a "digital propagandist" and a potential amplifier of extremist ideologies through social media. An ATS source said, 'She may not have been handling weapons, but she was handling narratives—and that's equally dangerous today.' (With agency inputs)
Gulf Insider
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Turkey Commits Military Support To 'New' Post-Assad Syria With Saudis Pledging $4BN In Investment
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have indicated this week they are preparing to ramp up their investment and military support to post-Assad Syria, which is under the new regime of President al-Sharaa and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (rebranded Syrian al-Qaeda). These very countries helped spearhead the effort alongside US intelligence to remove Assad – who fled the country on December 8. Turkey's Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that it will provide military assistance to Syria to help 'combat terrorism'. But the reality is that Turkey had long opened a 'jihadi highway' throughout years of the Syrian proxy war which helped cement the rise of ISIS and Syria becoming a hotbed of foreign fighters. Turkey claims Damascus is requesting urgent security assistance. 'In response to this request, we are continuing our efforts to offer training, consulting, and technical assistance to enhance Syria's defense capacity,' a Turkish defense official said. Ankara says its main objective is to uphold Syria's political unity and territorial integrity and to spearhead efforts toward long-lasting peace in the region. But the reality is that Turkey and Israel are in effect dividing of the spoils of post-Assad Syria, and Israel has been signaling its 'red line' over and against Turkish aims. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has recently pledged that Turkey's military will 'not allow terrorists to drag Syria back into chaos and instability.' Turkey has long occupied portions of northern Syria, precisely where terrorists have operated and conducted mass killings – particularly targeting Kurds and minority groups like Christians and Alawites. Regarding recent sectarian killings and unrest in Suwayda province and Israel's intensified strikes on Damascus, Turkish officials warned that these actions have exacerbated tensions between Druze groups and the Syrian government. But it is the HTS Syrian government which have committed the bulk of atrocities carried out against Druze civilians and even clerics. In the north, there's currently a deal underway for the Kurdish YPG – affiliated with the outlawed PKK – to lay down its arms, which it has been resistant to. At the same time there's a Pentagon presence in northern Syria and in the east, and the occupation shows no signs of withdrawing. Saudi Arabia too is eyeing greater participation in the supposedly 'new Syria' – now that Assad has exited: Saudi Arabia's investment minister led a business delegation travelling to Syria on Wednesday, where they were expected to sign deals worth around $4 billion as part of Riyadh's efforts to support the country's post-war recovery. The Gulf kingdom has been a crucial supporter of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government, which came to power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December and is now seeking to rebuild Syria after a 14-year civil war. Of course, this was largely the plan all along – for regional powers to 'divide and rule' Syria, after it was brought to its knees after years of proxy war and unprecedented US-led sanctions. Meanwhile the US promptly removed these posters… From a US and Israeli perspective, this was to break the so-called 'Iran/Shia axis' in the region which heavily supported Lebanese Hezbollah. The CIA dubbed this operation 'Timber Sycamore' – according to earlier confirmation in The New York Times and others.
