Terror suspects protest their innocence
Terror suspects protest their innocence
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Sunday, 04, Jun 2006 09:52
Two men arrested on suspicion of involvement in a terrorist chemical plot have protested their innocence.
Solicitors for Mohammed Abdul Kahar and Abul Koyair said that both men, who are understood to be brothers, denied any wrongdoing after being seized in a dawn anti-terror operation in east London on Friday.
Mr Kahar's legal representative added that police had failed to give her client any warning before shooting him during the raid on their home in Lansdown Road, Forest Gate.
Reports in yesterday's newspapers claimed that the hunt for a 'poison vest', designed to spray chemicals into the air around its wearer, was at the centre of Friday's anti-terrorism operation.
Mr Kahar, who received treatment in hospital for a gunshot wound earlier today, was discharged and taken to Paddington Green high security police station where Mr Koyair is already being held.
Describing the events leading up to the shooting of her client, lawyer Kate Roxburgh said that the 23-year-old was shot in the shoulder as he came down the stairs while police conducted the early morning operation.
"He was woken up about four in the morning by screams from downstairs, got out of bed in his pyjamas obviously unarmed, nothing in his hands and hurrying down the stairs," she said.
"He wasn't asked to freeze, given any warning and didn't know the people in his house were police officers until after he was shot."
Julian Young, representing 20-year-old Mr Koyair, said: "My client denies any involvement in the commission, preparation, or instigation of terrorist offences and has maintained that position from the start."
Speaking following a closed court hearing in central London yesterday afternoon, Mr Young said Mr Koyair was due to be interviewed by officers again on Sunday.
Police have confirmed that they have received grants enforcing the further detention of the two terror suspects until this Wednesday "on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
The head of the Metropolitan police's anti-terror squad has said that Friday's raid, which involved over 250 officers, was the result of "specific intelligence".
Detective assistant commissioner Peter Clarke added that the operation was likely to continue for "several days".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Mr Kahar during the raid.