Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

3 Charged in Plot to Kill Brown

Suspects face murder, terror charges after online threats to PM

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Three British citizens have been charged with terror offenses for allegedly plotting to assassinate Gordon Brown, the Guardian reports. The suspects, who will appear in court in London today, belong to a group calling itself Al-Qaeda in Britain. They are accused of everything from soliciting murder to inviting support of a terrorist organization, although it's believed that no detailed plans were in place to kill the prime minister.

The indicted men posted threats against Brown and his predecessor, Tony Blair, on a jihadi website, where they demanded that British forces pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Two other suspects, one from Eastern Europe and the other a white British convert to Islam, are still being questioned. One friend of the latter suspect expressed surprise, telling the Telegraph that "I used to see him at the mosque and he doesn't have extreme views."

Barack Obama talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the garden of Number 10 Downing Street, London, Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Barack Obama talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the garden of Number 10 Downing Street, London, Saturday, July 26, 2008.   (AP Photo)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, and his wife Sarah look on during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, and his wife Sarah look on during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Police and prison vans are seen outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London. Three men questioned over an alleged threat to assassinate Gordon Brown are appearing in court today.
Police and prison vans are seen outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London. Three men questioned over an alleged threat to assassinate Gordon Brown are appearing in court today.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks to British troops at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Thursday Aug. 21, 2008.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks to British troops at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Thursday Aug. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Background on the assassination plot
BBC

 
Tony Blair • terrorism • Gordon Brown • assassination • assassination attempt • al-Qaeda • terror websites

More Newser Stories

Irish Police Arrest 7 Over Plot to Kill Swedish Artist

Bin Laden, al-Qaeda Nearly Killed Clinton

Bin Laden's Not Here: Pakistan PM

Terror Trackers Tackle Jihadis Online

Former Blair Aide Pushes Qaeda Dialogue
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne