Britain continues to be one of the safest havens for terror groups. Not one suspect has been extradited despite nearly a dozen friendly countries, including India, naming wanted fugitives and making repeated requests. Besides India, requests have been made by the US, France, Russia, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Turkey.
| Y'gotta work on that, Tony... |
The money for the bomb blast in Vijaywada, from where Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani was contesting election, was said to have been partly collected in a mosque in London. A tip-off about such collections was allegedly passed on to the Indian intelligence by Scotland Yard. But when the Indian Government sent a security team to London earlier this year with full details on wanted men allegedly involved with terrorist groups operating in Kashmir, it was not allowed to question the suspects. The team was also not permitted to see the dossier with the British security on these men. Reports are that so far none of the men named by the Indian Government have been arrested.
"Alistair? Was anyone we know killed?"
"No, sir."
"Then tell them to come back next week." |
In the late 90s the French had complained that Algerian plotters had a safe house in Wembley, north London. Moscow has said that Chechen rebels are in Britain. Tunisian officials allege that several leaders of the outlawed al-Nahda party are also here. The legal system is being blamed for delays in extradition of suspects. But sources allege that Tony Blair and Blunkett who had promised after 9/11 that they would speed up extradition of terror suspects sheltering in Britain, have failed and reneged on their pledge. Not one suspect has been sent out, instead £7 million has been spent on their legal aid. A diplomat is quoted saying that the " system in the UK has now gone beyond farce". |