A group of young Muslims seemingly affiliated with the al Qaeda and lodged in England's Belmarsh Jail, are reportedly intimidating their fellow prisoners into taking to extremism.
Belmarsh, said to be one of Britain's toughest jails, is classed as a Category 'A' jail because it holds the country's most dangerous terror suspects, including the four men suspected of planning to bomb London and an inmate thought to be a "senior member of al-Qaeda in the UK."
Inmates refusing to accept the diktat of the Muslim group are beaten up mercilessly and tortured by measures like pouring boiling water or slashing with razor blades.
"Some bloodied victims have been slashed by razor blades attached to toothbrushes. Others have had boiling water hurled over them. Prisoners say they are in fear for their lives," claims The Mirror, which identifies the gang of thugs as "The Muslim Boys."
The Brixton-based Muslim Boys are London's most feared gang. They also host weekly "religious" meetings, where it is feared that members are "groomed for terrorism" by the al-Qaeda chiefs, the report further said.
The reign of terror of al Qaeda operatives inside the jail was disclosed in a report leaked from Belmarsh's head of security.
According to the tabloid, the jail administration seems helpless in controlling the gang from harassing other inmates. Guards posted at the jail express their helplessness in taking action against the gang.
{{/usCountry}}According to the tabloid, the jail administration seems helpless in controlling the gang from harassing other inmates. Guards posted at the jail express their helplessness in taking action against the gang.
{{/usCountry}}In a bid to break the network, some of the gang's leaders have been transferred to other jails, but this has not stopped others from stepping in as replacements, claims the paper.
The security chief of the Belmarsh prison is most worried about the weekly seminars held by the gang in the compound's multi-faith chapel.
The paper quoted a source as saying: "Belmarsh has got a huge problem tackling the recruitment of terrorist cells. These people hold religious services every week. Around 125 Muslims attend and top members of al-Qaeda preach. None of the staff has a clue what they're talking about. Six officers attend each service, but all they can do is stand and watch. Those in the chapel could be planning a major terrorist attack but the officers wouldn't know. We can't even tape the service and get it translated because it is against Human Rights. It's frightening."