Rabu, 06 April 2016

Govt Moves To Close Terrorism Bail Loophole


The Government has moved to shut down a legal loophole blamed for letting terror suspects "waltz out of the country".

An amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill would make it a criminal offence for some terror suspects to skip the country between being arrested and being charged.

The measure follows the UK's senior counter-terrorism officer, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, claiming police bail is a "toothless" regime because terror suspects who break bail conditions cannot be prosecuted.

It was also prompted by the case of Siddhartha Dhar, who fled to Syria 24 hours after his release on bail and is thought to have replaced Mohammed Emwazi, known as "Jihadi John", in videos threatening the UK.

The new offence would apply to suspects arrested over a range of crimes, including membership of a proscribed organisation, fundraising in support of terrorism, and encouraging terrorism.

Anyone convicted would face a maximum of 12 months in jail and a fine.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "We are determined to give the police the tools they need to fight terrorism and keep people safe.

"This tough new criminal offence will help stop suspected terrorists from fleeing the UK to join Daesh (Islamic State).

"We have already taken action to deal specifically with the problem of foreign fighters, including introducing powers to seize and hold the passports of those suspected of planning to leave the UK and take part in acts of terror.

"The measure will help the police protect people from the threat of terrorism - it underlines the Government’s determination to tackle those who would do us harm or threaten our way of life."

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham urged stronger action last month, saying: "People will find it truly shocking that terror suspects on police bail can waltz out of the country without any real difficulty."

Giving evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee in January, the Prime Minister had made clear the Government's intention to do more work to address the issue.

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