UK Terrorism Arrests—Scotland

Scots police have arrested two individuals in Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland “as part of an on-going terrorism investigation.”^[1] Another individual—a shopkeeper’s son, Mohammed Siddique—was arrested on April 13 in the investigation.^[2] An address seven miles away from Alva, in Bridge of Allan, “is being searched in connection with the inquiry,” which is described as major and ongoing, and yet, authorities caution that “there remains nothing to suggest a direct threat to communities, the threat levels to the UK remain unchanged and an extensive reassurance strategy is in operation.”^[3] Alva is roughly 30 miles to the northwest of Edinburgh.^[4]

When Mr. Siddique was arrested, it was done so is “dramatic” fashion, with more than 60 officers, “several of them armed,” carrying out a 7AM raid on his home, which is directly across the street from Labour MP, Gordon Banks.^[5] Mr. Siddique was taken to the Govan Police station in Glasgow “where suspects detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 are held.”^[6] His neighbors expressed shock and amazement at the 20-year-old’s arrest, noting that he is a “nice fellow” that he is “very much a part of the community,” and that he and his family are “keen gardeners.”^[7] Mr. Saddique had been detained at the Glasgow airport on April 5, where police seized his laptop, which allegedly contained images of Iraq downloaded from the internet.^[7a]

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, suspects can be detained for up to 14 days, “but court permission is needed to hold a suspect for longer than two days.”^[8] The grounds for which continued detention are warranted are, that the detention is necessary:

• to obtain relevant evidence whether by questioning him or otherwise,
• to preserve relevant evidence,
• pending a decision whether to apply to the Secretary of State for a deportation notice to be served on the detained person,
• pending the making of an application to the Secretary of State for a deportation notice to be served on the detained person,
• pending consideration by the Secretary of State whether to serve a deportation notice on the detained person, or
• pending a decision whether the detained person should be charged with an offence.^[9]

Investigations and processes must be “conducted diligently and expeditiously” before continued detention can be authorized by a review officer.^[10] The review officer must be an officer of at least inspector or superintendent rank (depending on the situation) and he cannot be directly involved in the investigation.^[11]

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[1] Two Held in Scots Terrorism Probe, Press Association (via Yahoo!), Apr. 24, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] See Get-A-Map Ordnance Survey (UK), Last Visited Apr. 24, 2006.
[5] Michael Howie, et al., Armed Police Arrest Scottish Terror Suspect, The Scotsman, Apr. 14, 2006.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[7a] Michael Howie, Terror Suspect "Quizzed on Laptop Images," The Scotsman, Apr. 15, 2006.
[8] Howie, supra note 5.
[9] Terrorism Act 2000, c.11, Sched. 8, Part II. s. 23.
[10] Id.
[11] Id. s. 24.