By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-04-03 17:01:01 | Updated at 2025-04-04 11:56:45
18 hours ago
A High Court judge has sparked outrage after a convicted terrorist linked to the 7/7 attacks is set to walk free in Britain, despite the police saying he still remains a risk.
It's understood that the justice system cannot fully assess whether Haroon Aswat, 50, is a terrorist risk due to the mental health treatment that he's receiving.
The former lieutenant of hate preacher Abu Hamza was jailed in the US in 2015 for plotting to establish a terrorist training camp - but is now expected to return to his family home in Yorkshire in the "relatively near future" after spending two years at a UK psychiatric hospital.
Speaking to GB News, Dr Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society said the decision is "for the birds", and Aswat is still "an extremist with very dangerous views".
Alan Mendoza has hit out at the release of convicted terrorist Haroon Aswat
PA / GB News
"The Americans got him, jailed him, he got deported here eventually to finish his sentence - now we expect him to behave normally? It's just not fair. He's an extremist, a dangerous extremist and one who is a threat to national security."
Discussing the community in Batley, Yorkshire where he would be returning to, Mendoza claimed residents there will be "deeply concerned" that Aswat will be free to live in their community after committing such crimes.
He told GB News: "If I was somebody living in that community he will be returning to, I'd be deeply concerned about the prospect of someone like this returning.
"Although it is said that his mental health has improved, the prison report suggests that even when he's not in a mentally ill state, he is still a dangerous extremist. So I'd be worried about him on both counts, and I would certainly be concerned that he might start radicalising people again."
Mendoza told GB News that Aswat is still 'an extremist with very dangerous views'
GB News
On Tuesday, High Court judge Mr Justice Jay ruled: "The defendant's treatment has been effective. His release from detention is expected in the relatively near future."
"No formal terrorist risk assessment has been carried out since the defendant's return here. The circumstances of his detention have precluded that," Mr Justice Jay said.
Despite this limitation, he added: "The defendant has been assessed by various police officers -- including the senior officer dealing with this case -- that he remains a risk to national security."
