|
Detained 'Jihad' Britons on the brink of freedom
Four Britons detained in Somalia on terrorism charges have been been returned to the UK today, but could be back on the streets within hours. The Metropolitan Police have nine hours to detain the four men before they are arrested or released under the Terrorism Act.The men flew from Nairobi in Kenya and landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire at 6.50am today, where they were detained under the Port and Border Controls of the Terrorism Act 2000, a police spokeswoman said. The four men were originally detained by the Kenyan authorities on the Somalian border on January 20. No British consular access was granted. They were deported to Somalia on February 10 and negotiations began between Foreign Office officials, the Kenyan and Somalian authorities. It was agreed that the men should be returned to the UK and their journey was arranged by the Foreign Office. Yesterday, consular staff from Nairobi travelled to Baidoa in Somalia and accompanied the men back to Kenya. They were flown out almost immediately and arrived in the UK this morning. A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 6.50am today four men were detained under Ports and Borders Controls following their arrival at RAF Brize Norton. "The men, all in their 20s and from the London area, were taken to a west London police station where they are currently detained. They have not been arrested." The spokeswoman said the men were detained by the Kenyan authorities after crossing the border from Somalia. Last month, there were reports Britons had been fighting alongside the Islamic forces with some killed, injured or captured in the fighting. Somalia's deputy prime minister also claimed some financial support for the Islamic militant movement in his country was coming from the UK. Posted by: ryuge 2007-02-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=180289 |