Terror suspects appeal against detention without trial

Monday, 19 May 2003 12:00 AM

The first set of appeals by people who have been detained without trial in the UK under the new terrorism powers are to be heard in the Court of Appeal today.

The appeals are against powers brought in by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, which allow the detention of terrorist suspects indefinitely without trial.

Fifteen men are appealing against their imprisonment; some of them have been held for 18 months without charge.

Thirteen of the men are believed to be held in Belmarsh high security prison, the other two men have been already removed from the country but are appealing against their imprisonment.

The Home Secretary's decision to evoke the powers of detention were met with scepticism but an independent review published in February and the Court of Appeal agreed that Mr Blunkett was right to exercise these powers.

The independent review by Lord Carlile concluded that the Home Secretary had detained these men properly, but he did call for the terror suspects to be held separately from convicted criminals.

Lord Carlile heard complaints from the men about the use of solitary confinement, restricted opportunities to contact family, and insensitivity to religious observance at the high security prison.

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