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UK: Eight jailed under new terror laws

01 January 2002

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Eight suspected "international terrorists" were detained on 19 December 2001 under internment powers introduced under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act, following a series of raids in London, Luton and the West Midlands (many more have been held under the 2000 Terrorism Act). The majority were North African political dissidents. The prisoners were held in Belmarsh prison in south-east London, and Woodhill in Milton Keynes and detained in Category A security conditions, despite not having been convicted of any offence; this categorisation limits their access to family and contact with their lawyers. John Wadham, of Liberty, said the detentions were utterly unjust and pledged to challenge the legislation in the courts. The Muslim clerics Omar Bakri Mohammed and Abu Qatada, targeted by the press and security services in the run-up to the Act's passage through Parliament, in a campaign "outing" them for "inflammatory comments" and involvement in groups linked to Al-Quaida, were not detained.

Independent 20 12.01, Guardian 20.12.01

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