Schoolboy accused of Terror Plotting

Kate O'Hara
Yorkshire Post
Jun. 15, 2006

A YORKSHIRE schoolboy and a 21-year-old man arrested at Manchester Airport have been charged with planning terrorist attacks and conspiracy to murder.

The 16-year-old, from South Street, Dewsbury, and Aabid Hussain Khan, from Otley Road, Bradford, will appear at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London today following a West Yorkshire Police investigation which is continuing.

Khan, who is charged with two offences under the Terrorism Act, is accused of having a computer hard drive containing information linked to terrorism.

The British national, who lives with his parents but has a wife in Pakistan, is understood to have been carrying the hard drive when he was stopped at the airport last Tuesday on his way back from Canada.

Khan, who is unemployed and has spent long periods out of the country, is also accused of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions or use poisons. The teenager, who was arrested last Wednesday after doing a GCSE exam, also faces the latter two charges.

The inquiry has been led by the force's Homicide and Major Inquiry Team working with MI5 and is understood to have focused on coded computer messages and email traffic. The arrests followed weeks of surveillance.

West Yorkshire Police have carried out searches at addresses in Otley Road, Bradford, and Hanover Square, where Khan's grandparents live, and an internet cafe. Three houses in Dewsbury have also been searched.

Last night West Yorkshire Police said they were continuing to meet members of the community in Dewsbury and Bradford and called for people to remain united.

It is understood armed police were not used when the arrests took place as the force was keen to maintain good community relations.

A spokesman said: "West Yorkshire Police would like to thank the public for their continuing co-operation and understanding during the policing operation over the past week.

"The force is aware that investigations of this nature may cause disruption, which has to be balanced against the need to act quickly and in proportion to certain information and intelligence.

"This is a serious and complex investigation. Inquiries are expected to continue into various aspects of the investigation for some time."

Residents expressed shock at the developments. Samrana Ali, who lives in Savile Town, Dewsbury, said: "I can't believe it. He is so young. It's terrible news for this area."

A neighbour added: "This is awful because we do not want this community to be associated with terrorism. His family will know everyone will be looking at them now and that is not fair. They are not accused."

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik said he had spoken to the family, police and the community about the arrest.

"Like any family they are going to be shocked and a bit bewildered but it's a very well respected and decent family and I am quite sure that they are going to cope and see this process through.

"Obviously there is some shock within the community, perhaps a bit of confusion and some frustration. We just don't seem to be able to shake away the connection with terror.

"The important thing is that the judicial process needs to take its course, people need to stay cool and calm, deal with rumours in a robust manner and continue co-operating as they have been doing in a commendable manner with the police."