A key associate of the British Al-Qaeda leader Dhiren Barot, Abdul Aziz Jalil, is set to be released despite concerns of potential re-offending. The Justice Secretary made a final attempt to prevent Jalil’s release after the Parole Board approved it. Jalil had been serving a 26-year sentence since 2007 for his involvement in an Al-Qaeda sleeper cell aiding Barot in planning bomb plots in New York and London, but he will now be released after serving 19 years.
Recent documents revealed that Jalil had been released from prison twice before but was most recently recalled in March last year for violating his license by searching for “weapons and drones” online and engaging in a Reddit forum. The Parole Board’s judicial member, HHJ Jeremy Roberts KC, emphasized the distinction between Jalil’s interest in military materials and any terrorist intentions, dismissing the Justice Secretary’s appeal against Jalil’s release as “irrational.”
While acknowledging the concerns about Jalil’s potential re-engagement in serious criminal activities, HHJ Roberts concluded that the Parole Board’s decision was sound. Jalil will now be subject to stringent counter-terrorism monitoring upon his release. In 2007, Jalil was one of seven individuals sentenced for a total of 136 years for their involvement in terrorist activities alongside Barot. Jalil’s role as Barot’s confidant included aiding in planning explosive schemes and providing logistical support.
Jalil, a resident of Luton, facilitated Barot by providing a safe house for planning materials and participating in terror training camps in Pakistan. Despite his past actions, the Parole Board documents highlighted that Jalil, of Pakistani descent, had resided in the UK for most of his life and became involved with Barot’s extremist activities in 2001. The planned attacks were thwarted, and the perpetrators were apprehended before executing their plans.
Apart from Jalil, other individuals including Mohammed Naveed Bhatti, Junade Feroze, Zia Ul Haq, Nadeem Tarmohamed, Omar Abdur Rehman, and Qaisar Shaffi were also convicted for their roles in the planned attacks. Barot, the mastermind behind the plots, was sentenced to life in 2006 for conspiracy to murder. He had intentions to carry out attacks using a “dirty bomb” and explosives beneath prominent buildings in London. Barot’s extremist background and affiliations with militant groups were well-documented, with ties to al Qaeda and involvement in scouting potential targets in the US.
Barot’s history of militancy dated back to his early adult years when he converted to Islam and engaged in armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Kashmir. His ties to prominent terrorist figures, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, underscored his significant role in extremist activities. Despite the reduced minimum sentence, Barot’s past actions and intentions showcased his commitment to carrying out large-scale attacks on Western targets.
The impending release of Jalil, despite his past involvement in terrorism, raises concerns about the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures in monitoring and preventing re-radicalization among individuals with extremist backgrounds.