Achi news desk-
Seven British terrorists convicted alongside al-Qaeda mastermind Darren Barrott have been released from prison.
The men, who were part of a sleeper cell that helped Barrow plan a series of bomb plots in New York and London, were jailed in 2007 for a combined 136 years.
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But now they are free to roam the streets after most have served less than half their sentences.
The last of the group to be released was Abdul Aziz Jalil, then 34 years old, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison, and was allegedly Barot’s “guard”.
He pleaded guilty during his trial at Wallich Crown Court to conspiring to cause explosions between 2001 and 2004 alongside his fellow terror aides, who provided intelligence and support to Barrow.
Along with Jalil, Muhammad Naveed Bahati, 27, Junda Feroz, 31, Zia Ul Haq, 28, Nadeem Tarmuhamed, 29, Omar Abdur Rahman, 23, and Qaisar Shafi, 28, were all imprisoned.
Terror group now free
It was confirmed that all members of the group were released.
Most of them served less than half of their sentences.
In February 2024, Jalil was released after a parole hearing.
Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter-Terrorism Organisation, told MailOnline: ‘It’s madness.
“This determined terrorist gang planned to kill hundreds of people in bombings on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Releasing them almost certainly with the same views they had when they ordered murder shows how weak our society has become.
“They won’t fear going back to prison because they were going to be saints. Our society can only be more dangerous with these men in it.”
Barrott was a senior British member of Osama bin Laden’s network and the mastermind behind the planned attacks.
He was sentenced in November 2007 to life imprisonment.
Barot admitted to plots aimed at bombing the New York Stock Exchange, the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others.
In April 2007 it was revealed that he planned to use limousines packed with explosives and “dirty bombs: radioactive” for the attacks.
The plans for the attack on London included detonating an underwater tunnel under the River Thames, drowning hundreds of passengers.
Barrott pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was recommended to serve at least 40 years, which was reduced to 30 years in May 2007.
At his trial, it emerged that Jalil, from Luton, rented a “safe house” for Barrott where planning material was kept and his fingerprints were found on documents related to the chemicals.
He also participated in terrorist training camps in Pakistan and helped with radioactivity research.
They will not fear going back to prison as they intended to be saints. Our society can only be more dangerous with these men in it
Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter-Terrorism Organisation
The jury heard how the seven men were key to Barrow getting ahead with the plots in the summer of 2004.
Brutt distributed key parts of his plans to other members of the team, exploiting their skills in inventing false identities as therapists and investigators, prosecutors said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command, said at the time that while the seven men did not initiate the planned attacks, Barrott needed their help and expertise.
According to him, “Diran Barot and his gang were determined terrorists who planned bombings on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
“The plans for a series of coordinated attacks in the UK involved packing three limousines with gas cylinders and explosives before setting off in underground car parks. This could have caused a huge loss of life.
Plan a dirty bomb attack
“The plans to detonate a dirty bomb in this country would have caused fear, panic and widespread disruption.”
Mr Justice Butterfield said during the sentencing of the seven men that anyone who took part in such a scheme would “receive little sympathy from the courts”.
According to him, “Barot was the driving force behind the planning of this terror, he was by far the main participant in the conspiracy.
“Each of you was recruited by Barot and helped him at his request.”
The Home Secretary at the time, John Reid, said at the time: “The outcome of this trial shows once again the extent of the very real and gravest threat Britain faces from terrorism.”
The co-conspirators who have already been released from prison are:
Caesar Shaffy, of Willesden, north-west London, who was sentenced to 15 years, was the first to be recommended for release by the Parole Board in 2012.
Zia Ul Haq, from Wembley, north London, who was jailed for 18 years, was referred for release in 2014.
Naveed Bhatti, from Harrow, north London, who was jailed for 20 years, was referred for release in 2015.
Nadeem Tarmohamed, from Wembley, who received 20 years, was also referred for release in 2015.
In 2016, Jonda Prose, from Blackburn, who received 22 years, was referred for release.
Omar Abd Rahman, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, who was jailed for 15 years, was turned down for release in 2013, according to the Parole Board.
According to the suspicion, he was released at the end of his sentence.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Jalil, now 49, was released.
A Parole Board spokesman said: “We can confirm that a Parole Board panel has directed the release of Abdul Aziz Jalil following an oral hearing.
“The decisions of the parole board focus solely on what risk a prisoner can represent to the public if he is released and whether this risk can be managed in the community.
“A panel will carefully consider a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of a change in behaviour, as well as consider the harm caused and the impact of the crime on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in preparation for an oral hearing.
“In the hearing, testimonies may be given by witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials who supervise the offender in prison, as well as personal statements of the victim.
“It is common for the prisoner and the witnesses to be interrogated at length during the hearing, which often lasts a full day or more.
“Parole reviews are conducted thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our top priority.”
Barot, now 52, ​​who was born in India, is being held in a maximum security prison.
He is not eligible for parole until 2037.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “This release decision was made by the independent parole board after a thorough risk assessment.
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“Terrorists released on license are under the supervision of the probation service, with the support of the police and the security services, and are subject to strict conditions, including restrictions on the use of the Internet, their movements and making contact with others.
“If they violate these conditions they are going to send them back to prison.”
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