5 UK Students Freed on Terror Appeal

Judge overturns convictions for having extremist literature

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2008 5:50 PM CST

(Newser) – The UK's top judge today quashed the convictions of five young Muslims on charges of downloading and sharing terrorist material, the Telegraph reports. Lord Chief Justice Phillips ruled that, under 2000's Terrorism Act, it is not illegal to possess and study terror literature unless there is obvious evidence of "terrorist intent."

The ruling is seen as a blow to the British government's terror prosecution and will likely lead to other convictions being overturned. The five students were arrested when one ran away from home after becoming "intoxicated" by extremist websites, the Telegraph reports. But Phillips maintained there must be "a direct connection between the object possessed and the act of terrorism.''

Britain's new Lord Chancellor and Justice Minister Jack Straw, left, and Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers are seen before the swearing in ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in... (Associated Press)

Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Irfan Raja, 19, who was sentenced to two years in youth detention in England, Thursday July 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Metropolitan Police,HO) (Associated Press)

Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Awaab Iqbal, 20 who was sentenced to two years in prison in England, Thursday July 26, 2007. Five students who collected information on terrorism were sentenced... (Associated Press)

Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Aitzaz Zafar, 19 who was sentenced to two years in prison in England, Thursday July 26, 2007. Five students who collected information on terrorism were sentenced... (Associated Press)

Undated Metropolitan Police handout photo of Usman Malik, 20 who was sentenced to three years in prison in England, Thursday July 26, 2007. Five students who collected information on terrorism were sentenced... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Euro Terror Plot Hatched By Germans, Brits in Pakistan

Intel officials intercepting their phone calls

(NEWSER) - Eight Germans and two British brothers are using Pakistan as a safe haven from which to plan Mumbai-style terror shootings across Europe, a Pakistani security official tells the AP . The group is coordinating the plot by phone with acquaintances in Germany and London. Pakistani, British, and German intelligence officials are monitoring those calls. “They have been talking about and looking for facilitators and logistics they need there,” the official said. More»

Brits Warned of 'New Wave of Terror'

Militants from different nations appear to be joining forces

(NEWSER) - Britain should brace for a "new wave of terror" as the threat from both dissident Irish Republicans and Islamic radicals rises, the chief of the MI5 security agency warns. Militant Irish groups—one of which has threatened to blow up banks in Britain and Ireland—are showing worrying "signs of co-ordination and co-operation," and acquiring more sophisticated weapons, says Jonathan Evans. More»

Most Knew Jihad Jane as Just Colleen

Suburban online jihadist "wasn't nothing to remember"

(NEWSER) - Nobody who knows terrorist suspect Colleen LaRose had any inkling of her online JihadJane identity, and many of those who talk about her sound like she didn't leave much of an impression at all. The boyfriend LaRose lived with for years in suburban Pennsylvania while she took care of his elderly father told CNN she "seemed like a completely normal person" and was "no rocket scientist." More»

Righty Radio Host Savage Off 'Banned in Britain' List

Conservative talk-show still suing former UK home secretary for libel

(NEWSER) - Radio talk-show host Michael Savage can again enter the UK after Britain’s new home secretary decided to take him off the country’s “banned in Britain” list, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The conservative pundit is still suing the former home secretary, Jacqui Smith, for libel after putting him on the list alongside Islamic terrorists, Russian mobsters, and other unsavories. More»

Taliban Chief Claims Lahore Attack, Vows to Hit US

Mehsud vows he will attack again in Pakistan and US

(NEWSER) - The head of the Pakistani Taliban and the man accused of masterminding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has claimed responsibility for yesterday's commando assault on the Lahore police academy and has threatened more attacks, the Times of London reports. Baitullah Mehsud personally called Western news agencies to take credit for the attack instead of issuing a statement through a subordinate. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

5 UK Students Freed on Terror Appeal

Judge overturns convictions for having extremist literature

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

terrorist • Britain • terror websites • Islamic terrorism

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Euro Terror Plot Hatched By Germans, Brits in Pakistan

Intel officials intercepting their phone calls

Brits Warned of 'New Wave of Terror'

Militants from different nations appear to be joining forces

Most Knew Jihad Jane as Just Colleen

Suburban online jihadist "wasn't nothing to remember"

Righty Radio Host Savage Off 'Banned in Britain' List

Conservative talk-show still suing former UK home secretary for libel

Taliban Chief Claims Lahore Attack, Vows to Hit US

Mehsud vows he will attack again in Pakistan and US

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

5 UK Students Freed on Terror Appeal

Judge overturns convictions for having extremist literature

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

terrorist • Britain • terror websites • Islamic terrorism

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Euro Terror Plot Hatched By Germans, Brits in Pakistan

Intel officials intercepting their phone calls

Brits Warned of 'New Wave of Terror'

Militants from different nations appear to be joining forces

Most Knew Jihad Jane as Just Colleen

Suburban online jihadist "wasn't nothing to remember"

Righty Radio Host Savage Off 'Banned in Britain' List

Conservative talk-show still suing former UK home secretary for libel

Taliban Chief Claims Lahore Attack, Vows to Hit US

Mehsud vows he will attack again in Pakistan and US

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?