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| Europe |
| Seven Algerian thugs nabbed in Edinburgh... |
| 2002-12-25 |
| Seven men, all from Algeria, were charged in Edinburgh with preparing a terrorist attack, officials said. The seven, who were arrested six days ago in Edinburgh and London, were charged under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which deals with possession of articles "in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion" that they could be used for a terrorist attack. Ay, laddie! Algerians have much in common with Bonny Scotland! Why, haggis was invented in Lower Kabiliyeh, y'know? They just used different ingredients... During an hour-long appearance behind closed doors at Edinburgh sheriff's court, the seven men "made no plea or declaration, and were remanded in custody," the Scottish Executive said in a press statement. "I ain't sayin' nuttin' til I talks wit' me mouthpiece!" British news media said the seven were expected to reappear in court next Wednesday, when a trial date might be set.The seven were named by the Scottish Executive as Abdellah Abdelhafid, 33; Mourad Idir Abes, 27; Ghalem Belhadj, 36; Karim Benamghar, 31; Salah Moullef, 32; Hakim Ziem, 31; and Sofiane Lahamar Hassim Ziem, 29. Belhadj was identified by the Scottish Executive as "a prisoner in the prison of Kilmarnock," in Scotland. Abdelhafid's residence was given as West Ealing in London, that of Abes as Cowley in Oxford, while the others were said to live in Edinburgh. Stout Scots lads, all, except for the turbans... The maximum penalty for offenses under section 57 of the Terrorism Act is 10 years in prison, plus fines. The seven had been arrested last Wednesday and detained in a high security unit at Govan police station in Glasgow. It was not immediately clear whether the arrests were connected with the detention the previous day of four men in the Paris area on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack. But one suspects, doesn't one? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |