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UK to expel 500 radical Muslims
LONDON: Five hundred radical Muslim extremists are to be deported by the British government, reports the News of the World newspaper. The paper claims that the immigration officials have already been given a list of names â compiled by MI5 â and told to begin proceedings. The first could be sent back to their homeland over the next two weeks. Among the first to be deported will be a dozen radical clerics. But hundreds of other foreign extremists, including some Islamic bookshop owners, writers, teachers and website operators will also go.Home Secretary Charles Clarke will begin the process when he returns from holiday this week. He will issue deportation orders and the people will be forcibly sent back. They will then be able to appeal â from abroad. All 500 have been taken from a "watch list" of extremists compiled over the past five years by the Intelligence Service. Their identities are being kept secret so that they will not be able to go into hiding or mount a legal challenge. Officials at both the Home Office and the Foreign Office revealed an "initial wave" of up to 100 people will be booted out in the next month. Another 100 foreign nationals will then be sent home by the end of the year. And 300 more will be sent home next year once the government has new laws in place to strip them of their British citizenship and force them back to the countries of their birth. Over the next week agreements will be completed with 10 African and Middle Eastern countries to make sure they will accept the extremists. The government has already signed a "memorandum of understanding" with Jordan. Similar agreements will be made with nine other countries including Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Kenya and Lebanon. The government is also trying to do a deal with Saudi Arabia. News of the massive crackdown follows Prime Minister Tony Blairâs announcement on Friday of a purge on terrorists and extremists. A senior Home Office official said: "Just as the police operation over the past four weeks has been dynamic and fast-paced, so will our response." The News of the World also claimed parliament will be recalled. MPs will be ordered to cut their holidays and be back in Westminster in five weeks. On September 12 the new Anti-Terrorism Bill will be presented to parliament. One prominent Muslim cleric on Saturday caused outrage by comparing the crackdown on extremists to Adolf Hitlerâs demonisation of the Jews in pre-war Germany. Dr Mohammed Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham Mosque, said: "He (Hitler) started a process of elimination of Jewish people. I see the similarities." Anti-terror cops are continuing to probe a haul of fake passports handed to them by the News of the World last week. Posted by: Angavinter Whereter2739 2005-08-08 |
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