Reuters – February 9, 2010
A British student, described by prosecutors as a "wannabe suicide bomber," had his main conviction for possessing terrorism-related materials quashed on Tuesday after spending nearly four years in custody.
Mohammed Atif Siddique, 24, from central Scotland, had been jailed for eight years in 2007 for four offences under terrorism and breach of the peace laws, including distributing terrorist material via websites.
On Tuesday, appeal court judges in Edinburgh formally overturned the most serious conviction against him, which accounted for six years of his term, the Press Association reported.
The judges were confirming a ruling last month that he had suffered a miscarriage of justice after the trial judge misdirected the jury.
At an appeal last year, Siddique's lawyers had argued that much of the material in his possession, which helped secure his conviction, was widely available on the internet.
They also argued that the judge in the original trial had failed to direct the jury that a connection must be established between materials Siddique was found with and a specific act of terrorism.
Prosecutors at Scotland's Crown Office said they would not seek a retrial as it would have little practical effect.
They said Siddique had already served most of his sentence for the quashed offence, and had effectively served the full sentence for the three lesser charges, of which he remained convicted.
After the hearing, Siddique emerged from the court in Edinburgh with his lawyer, who read a statement on his behalf.
"Our laws should bring to account those who plan acts of terror, and not criminalise young Muslims for thought crime and the possession of propaganda," Siddique said in the statement.
"I have always maintained my innocence, but they took my liberty, destroyed my family's reputation and labelled me a terrorist. But I never had any bombs or plans to hurt anyone.
"In court it was said I was a wannabe suicide bomber, but I have always said I was simply looking for answers on the internet."
(Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Steve Addison)http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE61824R20100209
Comment – February 9, 2010
The above report is now becoming
all too familiar. It usually starts off with a “terror scare” publicised by a compliant corporate media together with ominous official warnings. Then instead of terror atrocities, arrests follow and as things settle down and with minimal publicity those arrested are released, often without charge.
In fact, two thirds of those arrested on suspicion of involvement in terror in the UK have been
released without charge.
While a good proportion of those charged have had the cases against them thrown out due to insufficient evidence.
Or, as in the report above, those convicted for involvement in supposed terror plots have had their convictions overturned on appeal.
Little wonder therefore that Obama has banned the use of the term “War on Terror”: because the whole business is beginning to look like a poorly stage-managed farce.
Also see:
A Familiar Routine
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=11111
Five “Terror” Convictions Overturned on Appeal
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8042
Spain's supreme court clears four convicted Madrid bombers
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8987
Two Thirds of UK Terror Suspects Released Without Charge
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=10695
Three cleared of plotting London 7/7 bombs
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=10604
12 arrested after alleged 'Easter bomb plot' released without charge
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=10567
Two UK Bomb Suspects Released Without Charge
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=6865
“Terror Suspect Released”
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=6849
Terror Suspects Freed
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=5431
The mysterious case of the disappearing “terror” plots
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=5144
Last updated 12/02/2010
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