Tonight:
4°c
Terrorist caught with missile plan is let out of jail early
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor28 Mar 2008
Ministers were facing a political storm today after a convicted Islamic terrorist was released early from jail under a scheme to ease prison overcrowding.
Yassin Nassari from Ealing was jailed for three and a half years last July after he was caught with a blueprint detailing how to make a missile and explosives for its warhead.
But it emerged today that the 28- year- old Londoner was secretly freed from Wakefield Prison last month after serving less than half his sentence.
The Ministry of Justice had failed to disclose its decision, but was forced to rush out a statement confirming Nassari's release after being confronted by a Sunday Times journalist.
Today's revelation is certain to prompt fresh concern over the early release scheme, which was introduced last year to ease record prison overcrowding. It allows "non-violent" prisoners to be freed up to 18 days early.
Nassari would have been eligible for automatic release after serving half of his sentence, backdated to when he was first taken into custody, but the date was brought forward under the early release scheme.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "It is disgraceful that a convicted terrorist has been released before even half of his sentence has been completed.
"While the Government is seeking to extend the period of pre-charge detention without charge, never mind conviction, at the same time they are releasing convicted terrorists early. The early release scheme should be scrapped immediately."
The decision to release Nassari comes despite the gravity of his offence and unconfirmed reports last year that he had been moved from London's Belmarsh prison because of fears that he was planning to blow up the jail.
Further evidence of the potential threat posed by Nassari was revealed at his Old Bailey trial last year, at which he was convicted of possessing material likely to be useful to a terrorist.
As well as the missile blueprint, which set out how to build an Al-Qassam rocket of the type fired into Israel by Palestinians, the court also heard how Nassari had shared extremist videos with another terrorist containing information about suicide vests, booby traps, poisons and car bombs.
A letter from his wife, Bouchra el-Hor, urged him to wage jihad and said she hoped their fiveyearold son would become a martyr.
In its statement today, the Ministry of Justice said that although terrorist convicts jailed for offences involving "serious violence" were not eligible for early release, the nature of Nassari's crime meant that he was not covered by this prohibition.
A spokesman added: "A category A prisoner was released from Wakefield prison on 11 February 2008. The prisoner met the criteria for early release under the End of Custody Licence scheme. Where a prisoner satisfies the criteria then release must follow.
"ECL is only available to prisoners whose offences are not considered serious enough by the court to justify a long term of imprisonment."
Nearly 19,000 offenders have been freed ahead of time since the start of the Government's early release scheme including more than 3,500 violent offenders. At least one criminal has committed murder after being let out early.
Reader views (14)
It's issues like this that leave me with very little sympathy for what's going on in England. As long as you walk around with blinders on you'll never see the sword as it is swung at your neck. We've saved your ass twice in the last 100 years, I don't think you deserve another shot as long as you allow this to happen. You deserve what you get. The sad fact is that we probably won't be far behind.
- Tim, Fort Wayne, 31/03/2008 16:24
Report abuse
Well the only sane reason to let this person go is to embed his body (while unconscious) with several tracking devices.
Let him lead you to others then send in a guided bomb.
- Rambo6, North Las Vegas, USA, 31/03/2008 07:02
Report abuse
This is disgusting and never should have happened. The sad thing is that knowing my countries current leadership I know that something like this could certainly happen over here (If it hasn't already...) Stay safe my friends and allies in Europe. Even if our leaders are absolutely clueless we the people certainly still have the ability to protect ourselves and our families and with the current state of things we may have to do this sooner than later.
- Zombieco, Boise, Idaho, USA, 31/03/2008 06:08
Report abuse
Why are you committing national suicide UK? Do you have a death wish? Your government and "Justice" system are waging jihad against you! Makes us wonder what will happen if we get an Islam sympathizer like Obama as President.
- Dave, Chicago USA, 31/03/2008 01:03
Report abuse
This is a very bad joke!
- Rail Runner., North Shields.Tyne & Wear, 30/03/2008 23:10
Report abuse
That's what people get when they vote liberal.
The U.K. needs a strong anti crime group in Parliament.
People who aren't afraid to knock some heads together.
- Mary Louise Macchiaroli, Pittsburgh, Pa U.S.A., 30/03/2008 21:32
Report abuse
The UK cannot possibly allow this to continue. For the sake of your country ... stop this insanity now; or the terrorists in Europe WILL attack you again ... and soon.
We are all praying that this won't happen; but with this episode ... what's to stop them? You deserve all the protection your government can give you. Keep yourselves safe! We're praying for our friends in the U.K.
- Belinda, USA, 29/03/2008 08:28
Report abuse
You Brits are so politically correct that you are totally nuts. You will be sorry that you don't have the guts to protect yourselves. I am sad for you.
- Manabouttown, Panama, 29/03/2008 03:30
Report abuse
Simply unbelievable and horrifying.
- Debra, Seattle, WA USA, 28/03/2008 21:57
Report abuse
How many more things can this government get wrong?
- J.Atkinson, Derby, England, 28/03/2008 19:31
Report abuse
I wonder how many people like me, even over seventy as I am, would happily leave UK forever. I would encourage any hard working, ambitious young personal to find another country. This one is finished.
- Brian, Rosyth, 28/03/2008 18:21
Report abuse
I think i would prefer it if they let people out of prisons who haven't paid their poll tax rather than a CONVICTED terrorist, even if the terrorist did meet the criteria for early release.
- Sandy, East Yorkshire, 28/03/2008 18:19
Report abuse
What is this country coming to. How can he be let out so early.
- Garry Breeze, England Manchester, 28/03/2008 17:15
Report abuse
Have you lost your minds? He should have been left to rot in jail. Now he can go about his business and if it is harming people you gave him the go ahead. What the hell were you thinking.
- Bob, USA, 28/03/2008 16:48
Report abuse
