Sign in

Post 9/11, UK freed most arrested on terrorism charges

Most individuals arrested under Britain's terrorism laws since September 11 have been released without charges, with only 13 per cent of those detained convicted of terror offences, latest official statistics show.

Updated on: May 13, 2009, 23:14:46 IST
PTI | By , London
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Most individuals arrested under Britain's terrorism laws since September 11 have been released without charges, with only 13 per cent of those detained convicted of terror offences, latest official statistics show.

HT Image
HT Image

Figures released on Wednesday also show that British Asians are at least twice as likely to be arrested by terror police than members of other ethnic groups, a trend that has also fueled resentment in the Muslim community.

Only 13 per cent of those arrested post 9-11 were convicted of terror offences, statistics have shown, sparking criticism from human rights organisations.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, said it was "worrying" that "the overwhelming majority" of those arrested were not guilty of any charge and that half were not charged at all.

Figures show that 56 per cent of 1,471 terror suspects detained between September 2001 and April 2008 were not charged. Of those arrested, 102 were convicted of terror offences and 94 were convicted on terror-related charges.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the 196 convictions highlighted the "real and serious threat from terrorism" faced by the UK.

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.