C L O S E R International Terrorism - 5/18 - C L O S E R

BBC NEWS | UK | Aabid Khan and his global jihad

Posted on September 19th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Young Muslims.

BBC NEWS | UK | Aabid Khan and his global jihad
By Steve Swann
Aabid Khan’s conviction marks the latest chapter in a series of raids and arrests across three continents. Four trials have already led to convictions in three countries – and the investigations continue. (more…)

Yeh Hum Naheen – Say no to terrorism / this is not us

Posted on September 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Yeh Hum Naheen is originally a Pakistani movement opposing terrorism in the name of Islam. The musical movement is headed by producer Waseem Mahmood and many well known Pakistani artists are part of it such as Shafqat Amanat Ali, Deeyah, Ali Haider, Shuja Haider, Haroon, Hadiqa Kiyani, Strings and Ali Zafar . The song Yeh Hum Naheen (meaning ‘say no to terrorism or this is not us) is written by Ali Haider. With the song the movement tries to spread the message that Pakistani people are against terrorism and reject prejudice and discrimination against the majority of the Muslims who have nothing to do with terrorism.

The message is being spread by video in particular on YouTube where different versions are shown, the most recent one showing Pakistani people reciting the lyrics, re-iterating that ‘This is not us’.

You can watch the video HERE.

Protected: 'Meer zorg over macht veiligheidsdiensten' – Leiden en Regio – Leidsch Dagblad

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

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Protected: ‘Meer zorg over macht veiligheidsdiensten’ – Leiden en Regio – Leidsch Dagblad

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

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Response: Research on terrorism is invaluable – but we do it under fear of arrest | Comment is free | The Guardian

Posted on September 4th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Response: Research on terrorism is invaluable – but we do it under fear of arrest | Comment is free | The Guardian

The MI5 analysis, said the Guardian, is “based on hundreds of case studies of those involved in or closely associated with terrorism”. But if university staff or students had that sort of close contact with “those associated with terrorism”, they might find themselves locked up. Guidelines for universities in dealing with violent extremism say “we should never overstate the menace we face from violent extremism”, and the higher education minister, Bill Rammell, has said that the academic study of terrorism must extend to the “furthest limit of inquiry” and that it is “entirely acceptable and indeed necessary for academics to seek to understand and explain what motivates violent extremists”.All this would lead one to believe that we have a sensible and reasoned approach to the problem, but in reality we had a man locked up for a week for possessing a document downloaded from a US government website. Reading Yezza’s account of how he doodled in Mills and Boon novellas and compiled lists in his mind to stay sane in his cell (Britain’s terror laws have left me and my family shattered, August 18) really brought home the need to get the situation resolved.

Last month I spoke to a UCU member who is an expert on terrorism. He told me that we have learned the most from in-depth studies of the written materials of terrorist groups, and in-depth interviews with their members. The government has to clarify the current legal situation regarding research on terrorism and violent extremism and clearly articulate that to universities, staff and students. Research in difficult and dangerous areas must continue – without the fear of arrest for students or staff.

Hicham Yezza and Rizwaan Sabir were arrested because Sabir had emailed Yezza a declassified open-source document, called the al-Qaida Training Manual, available on a US government website. I was struck by this case, since I have downloaded the manual and probably from the same US government website. I also know of one student who did the same for his master thesis here. Fortunately nothing has happened (yet?) but this case makes you fear for academic freedom.

Response: Research on terrorism is invaluable – but we do it under fear of arrest | Comment is free | The Guardian

Posted on September 4th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Response: Research on terrorism is invaluable – but we do it under fear of arrest | Comment is free | The Guardian

The MI5 analysis, said the Guardian, is “based on hundreds of case studies of those involved in or closely associated with terrorism”. But if university staff or students had that sort of close contact with “those associated with terrorism”, they might find themselves locked up. Guidelines for universities in dealing with violent extremism say “we should never overstate the menace we face from violent extremism”, and the higher education minister, Bill Rammell, has said that the academic study of terrorism must extend to the “furthest limit of inquiry” and that it is “entirely acceptable and indeed necessary for academics to seek to understand and explain what motivates violent extremists”.All this would lead one to believe that we have a sensible and reasoned approach to the problem, but in reality we had a man locked up for a week for possessing a document downloaded from a US government website. Reading Yezza’s account of how he doodled in Mills and Boon novellas and compiled lists in his mind to stay sane in his cell (Britain’s terror laws have left me and my family shattered, August 18) really brought home the need to get the situation resolved.

Last month I spoke to a UCU member who is an expert on terrorism. He told me that we have learned the most from in-depth studies of the written materials of terrorist groups, and in-depth interviews with their members. The government has to clarify the current legal situation regarding research on terrorism and violent extremism and clearly articulate that to universities, staff and students. Research in difficult and dangerous areas must continue – without the fear of arrest for students or staff.

Hicham Yezza and Rizwaan Sabir were arrested because Sabir had emailed Yezza a declassified open-source document, called the al-Qaida Training Manual, available on a US government website. I was struck by this case, since I have downloaded the manual and probably from the same US government website. I also know of one student who did the same for his master thesis here. Fortunately nothing has happened (yet?) but this case makes you fear for academic freedom.

Tot 15 jaar geëist tegen Samir A. en medeverdachten – de Volkskrant

Posted on September 1st, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, ISIM/RU Research, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues, Religious and Political Radicalization.

Tot 15 jaar geëist tegen Samir A. en medeverdachten – Binnenland – de Volkskrant
Tot 15 jaar geëist tegen Samir A. en medeverdachten

Van onze verslaggeefsters Janny Groen, Annieke Kranenberg
gepubliceerd op 01 september 2008 18:38, bijgewerkt op 1 september 2008 21:09

AMSTERDAM – Het Openbaar Ministerie heeft in hoger beroep in de Piranhazaak tegen Samir A. en vier medeverdachten straffen geëist tot vijftien jaar cel. Anders dan de Rotterdamse rechtbank acht het OM bewezen dat de Piranhaverdachten deel uitmaken van een terroristische organisatie die bezig was aanslagen voor te bereiden op Nederlandse politici en het AIVD-gebouw.
Volgens het OM werd de kern van de organisatie gevormd door Samir A., Nouredine el F. en Mohammed C. Tegen de laatste twee werden straffen van vijftien jaar cel geëist. De eis tegen Samir A. viel iets lager uit, dertien jaar, omdat hij eerder al onherroepelijk was veroordeeld tot vier jaar cel voor soortgelijke feiten. Die straf wilde het OM meewegen in de eis. El F. werd eerder dit jaar in hoger beroep in de Hofstadzaak vrijgesproken.

Beïnvloeden
Soumaya S. en Mohammed H. behoorden volgens de advocaten-generaal weliswaar niet tot de kern van de groep, maar hadden zich dermate laten beïnvloeden door de radicale jihadistische ideologie van met name El F. dat ze ook als actieve leden van de terreurorganisatie kunnen worden beschouwd. Tegen S., die door de rechtbank was veroordeeld tot drie jaar cel, werd tien jaar geëist. H., die eerder was vrijgesproken, moet volgens het OM tot acht jaar worden veroordeeld.

De groep had wapens in haar bezit en alle leden hebben die vervoerd, aangeraakt of tenminste gezien, aldus het OM. H. werd verweten dat hij zich niet had gedistantieerd van de groep, terwijl hij wist dat de leden geweld wilden plegen.

Gestuctureerd contact
In het vonnis van 1 december 2006 oordeelde de Rotterdamse rechtbank dat de Piranhaverdachten onderling onvoldoende gestructureerd contact onderhielden om te kunnen spreken van een organisatie. De advocaten-generaal D. Kuipers en R. Terpstra stelden echter dat de Piranhaorganisatie ‘een voortzetting is van de Hofstadgroep’. De verdachten werkten dus al voor het Piranha-onderzoek in meer en mindere mate samen. Het OM rekent de groep extra zwaar aan dat zij met hun radicale activiteiten zijn doorgegaan na de moord in november 2004 op Theo van Gogh. En na de grimmige arrestatie op 10 november 2004 van ‘twee granaatwerpende Hofstadleden’. ‘Ze wisten dus welk een enorme impact deze gebeurtenissen hadden op de Nederlandse samenleving’.

De beslissing over een onderzoek naar de eventuele meineed van officier van justitie Koos Plooij, die in de Piranhazaak is gehoord als getuige, werd gisteren door het Haagse hof opgeschort. De verdediging van Samir A. wilde Plooij nogmaals oproepen om tegenstrijdigheden in zijn verklaring en dossierstukken op zitting te kunnen ophelderen. Vanwege de ‘verstrekkende gevolgen’ van dit verzoek, vroeg het hof meer bedenktijd. Mogelijk komt het hof op dit punt terug met een tussenvonnis.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/06/2008 | Guantanamo jury gives mixed verdict on Bin Laden’s driver

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/06/2008 | Guantanamo jury gives mixed verdict on Bin Laden’s driver

By Carol Rosenberg | Miami Herald

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVY BASE, Cuba — A U.S. military jury on Wednesday convicted Osama bin Laden’s driver of providing material support for terror but found him not guilty of a more serious charge of conspiring with al Qaeda in a string of worldwide terror attacks.

Salim Hamdan, 37, stood and listened with head bowed to an Arabic translation as he became the first man convicted at trial in the first U.S. war crimes tribunal since World War II.
(more…)

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/06/2008 | Guantanamo jury gives mixed verdict on Bin Laden's driver

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/06/2008 | Guantanamo jury gives mixed verdict on Bin Laden’s driver

By Carol Rosenberg | Miami Herald

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVY BASE, Cuba — A U.S. military jury on Wednesday convicted Osama bin Laden’s driver of providing material support for terror but found him not guilty of a more serious charge of conspiring with al Qaeda in a string of worldwide terror attacks.

Salim Hamdan, 37, stood and listened with head bowed to an Arabic translation as he became the first man convicted at trial in the first U.S. war crimes tribunal since World War II.
(more…)

Bin Laden’s Dissidents – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Posted on July 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Bin Laden’s Dissidents: Turning their Backs on Jihad

If one imagines al-Qaida as experts have characterized it — as a system of terror franchises with branches worldwide — then there is clearly an uprising taking place among many branch managers. They are distancing themselves from the icons of terror, and from their goals and methods. So far, it apparently remains an internal process, disputes within the various groups that have been smoldering for some time and are now rising to the surface. And there is little to indicate a causal connection between this development and the United States-led war on global terrorism.

Bin Laden’s Dissidents: ‘Things Are Slowly Changing’

It is a heavy blow to bin Laden and Zawahiri when one of the founders of their network describes al-Qaida’s ideology and the attacks of Sept. 11 as mistakes. “Dr. Fadl is fundamentally questioning their theological authority,” says Lawrence Wright, who describes the history of al-Qaida in his book, “The Looming Tower.” In a recent piece for the New Yorker, Wright wrote “Fadl repeatedly emphasizes that it is forbidden to kill civilians — including Christians and Jews — unless they are actively attacking Muslims.” Wright believes that the terrorist organization faces the greatest challenge in its history.

Bin Laden's Dissidents – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Posted on July 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Bin Laden’s Dissidents: Turning their Backs on Jihad

If one imagines al-Qaida as experts have characterized it — as a system of terror franchises with branches worldwide — then there is clearly an uprising taking place among many branch managers. They are distancing themselves from the icons of terror, and from their goals and methods. So far, it apparently remains an internal process, disputes within the various groups that have been smoldering for some time and are now rising to the surface. And there is little to indicate a causal connection between this development and the United States-led war on global terrorism.

Bin Laden’s Dissidents: ‘Things Are Slowly Changing’

It is a heavy blow to bin Laden and Zawahiri when one of the founders of their network describes al-Qaida’s ideology and the attacks of Sept. 11 as mistakes. “Dr. Fadl is fundamentally questioning their theological authority,” says Lawrence Wright, who describes the history of al-Qaida in his book, “The Looming Tower.” In a recent piece for the New Yorker, Wright wrote “Fadl repeatedly emphasizes that it is forbidden to kill civilians — including Christians and Jews — unless they are actively attacking Muslims.” Wright believes that the terrorist organization faces the greatest challenge in its history.

A Reporter at Large: The Rebellion Within: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

Posted on July 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

A Reporter at Large: The Rebellion Within: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

It is, of course, unlikely that Al Qaeda will voluntarily follow the example of the Islamist Group and Zawahiri’s own organization, Al Jihad, and revise its violent strategy. But it is clear that radical Islam is confronting a rebellion within its ranks, one that Zawahiri and the leaders of Al Qaeda are poorly equipped to respond to. Radical Islam began as a spiritual call to the Muslim world to unify and strengthen itself through holy warfare. For the dreamers who long to institute God’s justice on earth, Fadl’s revisions represent a substantial moral challenge. But for the young nihilists who are joining the Al Qaeda movement for their own reasons—revenge, boredom, or a desire for adventure—the quarrels of the philosophers will have little meaning.

Marc Sageman on the battle for young Muslims’ hearts and minds and the future of the leaderless jihad – Full Comment

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: Important Publications, International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization, Young Muslims.

Marc Sageman on the battle for young Muslims’ hearts and minds and the future of the leaderless jihad – Full Comment

There has been talk of an al-Qaeda resurgence, but the truth is that most of the hard core members of the first and second waves have been killed or captured. The survival of the social movement they inspired relies on the continued inflow of new members. But this movement is vulnerable to whatever may diminish its appeal among young people. Its allure thrives only at the abstract fantasy level. The few times its aspirations have been translated into reality — the Taliban in Afghanistan, parts of Algeria during its civil war and, more recently, in Iraq’s Anbar province — were particularly repulsive to most Muslims.

What’s more, a leaderless social movement is permanently at the mercy of its participants. As each generation attempts to define itself in contrast to its predecessor, what appeals to the present generation of young would-be radicals may not appeal to the next. At present, the major source of appeal is the anger and moral outrage provoked by the invasion of Iraq. But as the Western footprint there fades so will the appeal of fighting it.

Marc Sageman on the battle for young Muslims' hearts and minds and the future of the leaderless jihad – Full Comment

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: Important Publications, International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization, Young Muslims.

Marc Sageman on the battle for young Muslims’ hearts and minds and the future of the leaderless jihad – Full Comment

There has been talk of an al-Qaeda resurgence, but the truth is that most of the hard core members of the first and second waves have been killed or captured. The survival of the social movement they inspired relies on the continued inflow of new members. But this movement is vulnerable to whatever may diminish its appeal among young people. Its allure thrives only at the abstract fantasy level. The few times its aspirations have been translated into reality — the Taliban in Afghanistan, parts of Algeria during its civil war and, more recently, in Iraq’s Anbar province — were particularly repulsive to most Muslims.

What’s more, a leaderless social movement is permanently at the mercy of its participants. As each generation attempts to define itself in contrast to its predecessor, what appeals to the present generation of young would-be radicals may not appeal to the next. At present, the major source of appeal is the anger and moral outrage provoked by the invasion of Iraq. But as the Western footprint there fades so will the appeal of fighting it.

BBC NEWS | UK | Abu Qatada released from prison

Posted on June 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

BBC NEWS | UK | Abu Qatada released from prison
Abu Qatada released from prison

Qatada must wear an electronic tag and must not attend a mosque

The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail.

Abu Qatada, 47, was freed from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, at about 2020 BST after winning his fight against deportation from Britain.

A senior judge earlier signed papers authorising the release of Abu Qatada, previously described as Osama Bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe.

The Palestinian-Jordanian preacher will be subjected to a 22-hour home curfew and tight restrictions on his liberty.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is “disappointed” with the decision to release him, and says the government will appeal.

Abu Qatada was once described by a judge as a “truly dangerous individual at the centre of al Qaeda’s activities in the UK”.

Last month the Court of Appeal blocked his deportation to Jordan, where Abu Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks.

Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Abu Qatada in a future trial.

Restrictions

Mr Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted Abu Qatada bail on Tuesday with strict conditions.

He must wear an electronic tag and must not attend a mosque or lead prayers or religious instruction.

The government’s priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith

Abu Qatada must also stay in his west London home for at least 22 hours a day, and cannot attend any kind of meeting. He is also forbidden from using mobile phones, computers or the internet.

Police have special permission to enter and search his home while Abu Qatada is banned from having guests other than family and solicitors.

Among the people he is banned from meeting in London is al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Others include bin Laden’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and Rachid Ramda, who has been convicted in France of masterminding a series of bombings in 1995.

Also named is hate preacher Abu Hamza.

Public safety

Ms Smith said she was disappointed that Abu Qatada had been granted bail, even though the conditions were strict.

She added: “I am appealing to the House of Lords to reverse the decision that it is not safe to deport Qatada and the other Jordanian cases.

“The government’s priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so.”

Abu Qatada became one of the UK’s most wanted men in December 2001 when he went on the run, on the eve of government moves to introduce anti-terror laws allowing suspects to be detained without charge or trial.

In October 2002 the authorities tracked him down to a council house in south London and took him to Belmarsh Prison.

He was eventually freed on bail in March 2005, but was made the subject of a control order to limit his movements.

In August that year he was taken back into custody pending the extradition to Jordan.

BBC NEWS | UK | Abu Qatada released from prison

Posted on June 18th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

BBC NEWS | UK | Abu Qatada released from prison
Abu Qatada released from prison

Qatada must wear an electronic tag and must not attend a mosque

The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail.

Abu Qatada, 47, was freed from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, at about 2020 BST after winning his fight against deportation from Britain.

A senior judge earlier signed papers authorising the release of Abu Qatada, previously described as Osama Bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe.

The Palestinian-Jordanian preacher will be subjected to a 22-hour home curfew and tight restrictions on his liberty.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is “disappointed” with the decision to release him, and says the government will appeal.

Abu Qatada was once described by a judge as a “truly dangerous individual at the centre of al Qaeda’s activities in the UK”.

Last month the Court of Appeal blocked his deportation to Jordan, where Abu Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks.

Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Abu Qatada in a future trial.

Restrictions

Mr Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted Abu Qatada bail on Tuesday with strict conditions.

He must wear an electronic tag and must not attend a mosque or lead prayers or religious instruction.

The government’s priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith

Abu Qatada must also stay in his west London home for at least 22 hours a day, and cannot attend any kind of meeting. He is also forbidden from using mobile phones, computers or the internet.

Police have special permission to enter and search his home while Abu Qatada is banned from having guests other than family and solicitors.

Among the people he is banned from meeting in London is al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Others include bin Laden’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and Rachid Ramda, who has been convicted in France of masterminding a series of bombings in 1995.

Also named is hate preacher Abu Hamza.

Public safety

Ms Smith said she was disappointed that Abu Qatada had been granted bail, even though the conditions were strict.

She added: “I am appealing to the House of Lords to reverse the decision that it is not safe to deport Qatada and the other Jordanian cases.

“The government’s priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so.”

Abu Qatada became one of the UK’s most wanted men in December 2001 when he went on the run, on the eve of government moves to introduce anti-terror laws allowing suspects to be detained without charge or trial.

In October 2002 the authorities tracked him down to a council house in south London and took him to Belmarsh Prison.

He was eventually freed on bail in March 2005, but was made the subject of a control order to limit his movements.

In August that year he was taken back into custody pending the extradition to Jordan.

Al Jazeera English – News – Blast At Danish Embassy In Pakistan

Posted on June 3rd, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

Al Jazeera English – News – Blast At Danish Embassy In Pakistan
Blast at Danish embassy in Pakistan
At least eight people have been reported dead and dozens injured after a large explosion outside the Danish embassy in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The suspected car bomb in the embassy’s parking area caused extensive damage to the building and left a huge crater in the area on Monday.

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from the scene, said that a number of bodies could be seen on the streets outside the embassy.

He said that the explosion happened at about 12.10pm local time [0710 GMT] and security forces and ambulances attended the scene.

“Dozens of bodies are littered all over the place. The blast could be heard all over the city, and has literally taken the leaves off the trees … and broken all the windows in adjoining areas,” he reported.

Denmar’s foreign ministry has confirmed that a Danish national was killed in the attack.

Cartoon row

“It must be remembered that there was considerable anger at the Danish because of the cartoon affair,” he said, referring to recent re-publication of cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.

Denmark had moved out most of its foreign staff in recent months due to threats linked to the row over the cartoons.

Ahmed Qureshi, a political analyst, told Al Jazeera that the timing was very strange if it was an attack in response to the publication of the cartoons. (more…)

Protected: De Standaard Online – ‘Planners aanslag België’ opgepakt in Marokko

Posted on May 20th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

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Protected: De Standaard Online – 'Planners aanslag België' opgepakt in Marokko

Posted on May 20th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

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Jihadi studies Thomas Hegghammer TLS

Posted on April 4th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

Jihadi studies Thomas Hegghammer TLS

More than six years after 9/11, the study of jihadism is still in its infancy. Why has it taken so long to develop? One reason, of course, is that we started almost from scratch. Another factor is that it takes time for primary sources to emerge. But the most important reason is no doubt that the emotional outrage at al-Qaeda’s violence has prevented us from seeing clearly. Societies touched by terrorism are always the least well placed to understand their enemies. It is only when we see the jihadists not as agents of evil or as religious fanatics, but as humans, that we stand a chance of understanding them.

Vonnis terreurzaak overtreft eis – Binnenland – de Volkskrant

Posted on March 26th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues.

Vonnis terreurzaak overtreft eis – Binnenland – de Volkskrant
Vonnis terreurzaak overtreft eis

Van onze verslaggeefsters Janny Groen, Annieke Kranenberg
ROTTERDAM – De rechtbank in Rotterdam heeft het echtpaar Lahbib B. (30) en Hanan S. (26) dinsdag veroordeeld tot 3 jaar cel wegens deelname aan een terroristische organisatie en het voorbereiden van aanslagen op politici.

Het vonnis is opmerkelijk omdat eind 2006 vijf medeverdachten – onder wie Samir A. – op basis van dezelfde feiten in de zogenoemde Piranhazaak werden vrijgesproken van het vormen van een terreurorganisatie.

Het Openbaar Ministerie had tegen B. en S. niet meer dan een jaar cel geëist, waarvan onvoorwaardelijk een periode van de duur van hun voorarrest. De officier van justitie vroeg om deze korte straffen omdat zij een beperkte rol binnen de organisatie speelden en ‘opening van zaken’ gaven. De twee legden als kroongetuigen belastende verklaringen af tegen de andere Piranhaverdachten, over wapenvervoer naar België, schietoefeningen en een lijst namen van politici.

In de Piranhazaak beoordeelden de rechters – eveneens van de Rotterdamse rechtbank – deze getuigenissen deels als ongeloofwaardig. Mede door dat vonnis moest het OM de kroongetuigen, die nog altijd in een getuigenbeschermingsprogramma zitten, wel vervolgen. De groep met Samir A. kreeg celstraffen van 3 tot 8 jaar voor het beramen van aanslagen, maar vrijspraak volgde voor deelname aan een terreurorganisatie, omdat de contacten onderling ‘te weinig, te divers en te sterk wisselend van intentie’ waren.

Vijftien maanden later oordelen andere rechters uit Rotterdam heel anders. De twee worden wel geloofwaardig bevonden en volgens de rechters hadden zij een faciliterende rol in de organisatie. ‘De wijze waarop een aantal mededaders hun terroristische idealen wilden vormgeven, getuigt van haat tegen de Nederlandse democratie en andersdenkenden, wier leven voor hen kennelijk geen waarde heeft.’ Dat B. en S. zo’n gedachtegoed naar eigen zeggen niet aanhingen, maakt niet uit. Voldoende is volgens de rechtbank dat ze er ‘weet’ van hadden.

B. en S. hebben altijd verklaard dat ze meededen uit angst dat Samir A. en Nouredine el F. hen zouden verketteren als afvalligen en zouden doden. In de strafmaat heeft de rechtbank hiermee rekening gehouden, alsmede met de ‘coöperatieve houding’ en de ‘ongetwijfeld zeer ingrijpende gevolgen’ van het beschermingsprogramma. Anders hadden B. en S. tussen de 8 en 10 jaar cel gekregen, aldus de rechtbank.

B. en S. hebben onmiddellijk hoger beroep ingesteld. Zij hoeven niet naar de gevangenis zolang er geen onherroepelijke uitspraak is. B. moet op 15 april getuigen in de Piranhazaak, waarvan momenteel het hoger beroep dient.

Protected: Regio – Breda – Vermoedelijke terrorist aangehouden in Breda | bndestem

Posted on March 14th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

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Protected: Regio – Breda – Vermoedelijke terrorist aangehouden in Breda | bndestem

Posted on March 14th, 2008 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

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Terror law in tatters as extremists go free – Times Online

Posted on February 17th, 2008 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues.

Terror law in tatters as extremists go free – Times Online

Five British Muslim men have been freed, pending a retrial, after being convicted of terrorism-related crimes.
Sean O’Neill, Crime and Security Editor

Dozens of anti-terrorist investigations and prosecutions are in jeopardy after senior judges yesterday quashed the convictions of five young Muslims for downloading extremist propaganda. Three Court of Appeal judges, led by the Lord Chief Justice, questioned whether they should ever have been prosecuted for merely possessing the material. The ruling means that in future the prosecution will have to prove that defendants intended to commit terrorist attacks. (more…)

The ‘Lyrical Terrorist’ is among those who may benefit – Times Online

Posted on February 17th, 2008 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

The ‘Lyrical Terrorist’ is among those who may benefit – Times Online

Sean O’Neill

Samina Malik, the self-styled “Lyrical Terrorist” who wrote poetry about beheading Western hostages, could be one of the first beneficiaries of yesterday’s Court of Appeal judgments.

Malik, 23, became the first woman to be convicted under terrorism legislation since the beginning of the War on Terror in 2001, not so much for the violent poetry that she wrote but the extremist Islamist literature, including the Mujahidin Poisons Handbook and a sniper rifle manual, on her computer.

She was convicted at the Old Bailey under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Peter Clarke, head of Scotland Yard’s Counter-Terrorism Command, welcomed her conviction and said: “Merely possessing this material is a serious criminal offence.”

The Appeal Court ruled yesterday, however, that merely possessing such literature was not an offence.

Matthew Parris, the Times columnist, was one of the first to air concerns about Malik’s conviction, asking whether she had been found guilty of a “thought crime”. Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, agreed. He told The Times young Muslims were being criminalised for having “silly thoughts”.

Malik, who was given a suspended jail sentence, is likely to appeal soon.

The rulings also have serious implications for a number of cases under investigation or awaiting trial. There are at least six suspects awaiting trial under Sections 57 and 58 of the 2000 Act and defence lawyers in each case will be studying the judgment to see if the cases against their clients can be challenged.

Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, criticised the Terrorism Act 2000 as “another example of how the Government’s kneejerk drafting of new terrorist offences can lead to confusion from prosecutors and the waste of taxpayers’ money”.

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