Two held in terror raid released

Flashback: Hyped Terror Raid Proves To Be Paper Tiger

Two men arrested after a raid on a house in east London have been released without charge, Scotland Yard said.

Police questioned two brothers, one of whom was shot during the raid, on suspicion of terrorism involvement.

Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, and Abul Koyair, 20, both denied the allegations. They were held after a major raid in Forest Gate last Friday.

Police are now said to continuing their search for chemical materials elsewhere after finding nothing at their house.

The men, who had been held under the Terrorism Act 2000, were released shortly before 2030 BST on Friday.

Inquiry continues

As the men were released, police confirmed officers had completed their search of the raided property in Lansdown Road.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We appreciate the police operation has caused inconvenience and disruption to the occupants of the house.

"We will be contacting the owners to make appropriate arrangements for the property to be handed back to them.

"We will also be undertaking appropriate restoration work in consultation with the owners."

The statement added that intelligence received by police "continues to be developed" and that the Met Police "will continue to exhaust all lines of inquiry".

BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said sources believe the original intelligence was credible and police are continuing their hunt for "some sort of chemical, home-made device".

In a statement issued after the brothers were freed, Home Secretary John Reid said the police are acting in the "best interests of the whole community".

"They therefore deserve the support of the community in doing what is often a very hazardous and dangerous job that often involves difficult decisions."

Anti-terror police raided the house at Forest Gate last week after saying they received "specific intelligence" that a chemical device might be found there.

Scotland Yard later said they had "no choice" but to act while the prime minister said it was essential officers took action if they received "reasonable" intelligence suggesting a terror attack.

Tony Blair said he backed the police and security services 101% and he refused to be drawn on suggestions that the armed operation had been a failure.

But Muslim leaders had warned police could lose the trust of Forest Gate residents if the situation was not clarified.

Station protest

Inayat Bunglawala, from the Muslim Council of Britain, said the raid looked to have been a "terrible mistake".

"Today's decision to release the two brothers without charge confirms their innocence," he told the BBC.

He said the raid had created quite a bit of unease in the Muslim community - particularly amongst the younger generation.

"We do hope that the appropriate lessons will be learned by all involved in this tragic incident... the release of these two brothers may go some way to undoing the damage caused," he said.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission said the arrests were "another indictment of police and intelligence service anti-terrorist policy".

IHRC chairman Massoud Shadjareh said: "This policy is criminalising and victimising a community that is running out of patience."

Earlier on Friday, around 100 people gathered outside Forest Gate police station to protest about last week's raid. They chanted slogans and waved plaques condemning the police and government.

Protest organisers claimed the raid was symptomatic of oppression of the Islamic community.

Earlier in the day, Humeya Kalam, the sister of the two brothers, also criticised the police action.