11 charged over alleged airline plot
Eleven people charged by police investigating alleged airline bomb plot
Monday, 21, Aug 2006 12:00
Eleven people have today been charged in connection with the alleged plot to blow up several transatlantic flights, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced.
Head of the Metropolitan police anti-terrorist branch Peter Clarke also revealed that bomb-making equipment and "martyrdom videos" had been found during the investigations.
In what he described as an "immense" and global inquiry, he said searches had so far taken place in 69 houses, flats, vehicles and open spaces.
As well as bomb-making equipment, more than 400 computers, 200 mobile telephones and 8,000 CDs, DVDs and memory sticks were found.
"The enormity of the alleged plot will be matched only by the determination of the police to follow every lead and line of inquiry," Mr Clarke told reporters this afternoon.
Eight people have been charged with conspiracy to murder and the new offence of preparing acts of terrorism, which was introduced under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The alleged plot was to "manufacture and smuggle the component parts of improvised explosive devices on to aircraft and assemble and detonate them on board", said Susan Hemming, head of the CPS counter-terrorism division.
A further three people have been charged with offences under the Terrorism Act 2000, one of whom has been charged with possession of articles useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism.
The other two individuals have been charged with failing to disclose information of material assistance in preventing an act of terrorism.
One woman has been released from custody without charge and 11 people remain in custody "under active investigation". The police have yet to decide whether to apply for more time when their current detention period runs out on Wednesday.
Mr Clarke said the investigation of all the evidence available, some of which was from surveillance before the alleged plot was made public on August 10th, would take "many months" and involve thousands of forensic examinations such as DNA testing.
He stressed that the security services were doing "everything we can to keep you safe", but added: "We must be realistic. The threat from terrorism is real, it is here, it is deadly and it is enduring.
"As we look for explanations we cannot afford to be complacent and ignore the reality we face…These are difficult times for all communities but we can assure [you] that the police service will not flinch from its duty to protect the public."