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| Britain |
| Osama bin Laden planned Easter bomb campaign, files seized in US raid show |
| 2011-05-21 |
| The information is contained in computer files seized by US special forces and is some of the first top-secret intelligence to have been passed back from the bin Laden operation, according to senior Government sources. The Manchester terrorist cell – suspected of plotting to blow up landmarks in the city during the Easter holiday – was arrested in 2009. But the police were unable to press charges because of a lack of evidence and their treatment at the time became a cause célèbre for MPs, lawyers and human rights groups. An attempt last year to deport the alleged ringleader of the plot then failed on human rights grounds because he claimed he would be tortured if he was returned to Pakistan. Most of the alleged cell members have now left Britain. The disclosure of the links to bin Laden is likely to lead to renewed concern over the British operation to apprehend the men – and the evidence which can be used in terrorist prosecutions in this country. |
| Posted by:tipper |