Britain explores possibility of expelling Muslim militants
H S Rao (PTI)
(London, October 20)
Stung by their extreme views and action, Britain is seriously considering ways and means of expelling militant Muslims, suspected of being linked to terrorist activity, currently on dole or asylum here.
Officials are checking immigration status of several Muslim extremists as part of a wider surveillance operation by the police and security service since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US.
Official sources Saturday said Home Secretary David Blunkett is concerned over the activities of a number of these high profile figures in Britain who have been receiving welfare benefits and enjoying protection of Britain's much abused asylum laws.
Blunkett is also under pressure from his own Labour back benchers and others to take firm action against Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, leader of al-Muhajiroun, who is being investigated for making alleged death threats against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for his support to the US.
Scotland yard has been studying statements made by Sheikh Omar and other Muslim clerics but are doubtful if they can prosecute him under the present Terrorism Act 2000 because they are adept at remaining within the law.
"We are asking about the immigration status of individual cases. It is a question we are asking as part of the wider identification of suspicious people. If someone has been given exceptional leave to remain in the country we have the power to revoke it," the government spokesman said.
One of those believed to be under investigation because of their alleged terrorist links is Sheikh Abu Qatada, whose financial assets were frozen by the government last week.
Forty-year old Qatada who describes himself as a Palestinian refugee, appears on the Treasury list of 38 individuals and organisations under the name of Omar Mahmoud Uthman.
The Sheikh has lived here for eight years but was sentenced in absentia by the Jordanian authorities to life imprisonment for his involvement in terrorist offences, including conspiracy to cause explosions. He is being investigated by the Department for Work and Pensions, which has now stopped his benefit payments.
He denied reports yesterday that he had controlled bank account with 180,000 pound, claiming he only had 600 pound and had been living on social security. The Sheikh rejected claims he belonged to a terrorist group but in a BBC radio interview spoke of his "respect" for Osama bin Laden.
Among others who could face renewed scrutiny is Egyptian Abu Hamza al-Masri who heads the Supporters of Sharia from a mosque in Finsbury Park, North London. He is wanted by the Yemeni authorities for his alleged involvement in a terrorist bomb plot in December 1998.
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