Fury Over Possible Release of Terrorists Linked to 2006 Transatlantic Bomb Plot

London Heathrow, Terminal 5, London, England, Warren Rohner, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 | Jihad Watch

Fury has erupted over the possibility that three men convicted for their involvement in the notorious 2006 plot to bring down transatlantic passenger planes could be released from prison within months.

Ibrahim Savant, Arafat Waheed Khan and Waheed Zaman were convicted of conspiracy to murder after becoming involved in an al-Qaeda-inspired terror plot that prosecutors said was designed to cause mass casualties. All three received life sentences with minimum terms of 20 years.

Having now reached the point at which their cases can be considered by the Parole Board, the men could potentially be released if authorities determine that they can be safely managed in the community.

Zaman’s parole hearing is scheduled for September 7, followed by Khan’s on September 21. Savant’s case is due to be considered on November 12. If the board approves their release, the three could potentially be back in the community before Christmas.

The prospect has triggered strong criticism from politicians and counter-terrorism figures, with concerns being raised over whether individuals convicted for involvement in a plot targeting innocent civilians should be considered suitable for release. Critics have questioned whether the risks associated with their past involvement can be adequately managed outside prison.

The 2006 plot had far-reaching consequences for aviation security worldwide. The attempted attacks led to major changes in airport security procedures, particularly concerning liquids carried by passengers.

In the aftermath, authorities introduced restrictions on the amount of liquid passengers could take through airport security. These measures eventually resulted in the now-familiar rule requiring liquids to be carried in containers of no more than 100ml and placed inside transparent plastic bags.

The attempted plot therefore not only became one of the most significant terror cases in modern British history but also changed the experience of air travel for millions of passengers around the world.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)