A British man convicted of plotting to bomb a far-right demonstration in 2012 has been approved for early release despite objections from senior government officials, according to legal documents and court records. Mohammed Hasseen, 37, was part of a group of six men who intended to detonate homemade explosives and attack members of the English Defence League (EDL) during a rally in June 2012. His release comes nearly a decade after he was sentenced to 23 years and nine months in prison for his role in the failed terror plot. The plan, which authorities say was designed to incite racial violence, collapsed when the group arrived too late for the EDL event, which had ended earlier than expected. The six men, Hasseen among them, had prepared extensively for the attack, gathering thousands of pages of extremist material and assembling a cache of weapons, including firearms, knives, and a nail bomb packed with 458 pieces of shrapnel. Their goal, according to court testimony, was to ignite a cycle of retaliatory violence between communities. In 2013, Hasseen admitted to participating in the conspiracy and was given a long prison term. However, a recent decision by the Parole Board allowed him to be released, prompting a final appeal from David Lammy, the UK’s Minister for Prisons and Probation. Lammy described the decision as “irrational” and claimed the board had overlooked Hasseen’s inflammatory remarks to prison staff, which he called “reprehensible.” Despite these concerns, the appeal was rejected by Sir John Saunders, the Lord Chancellor, who ruled that the Parole Board had properly considered the risks posed by Hasseen’s release. Sir Saunders noted that while the crimes committed by Hasseen were severe and potentially lethal, the panel had weighed the likelihood of future harm carefully. He stated that the board had been aware of the potential for mass casualties should Hasseen reoffend. Nevertheless, he concluded that the evidence presented supported the decision to grant him release. The plot against the EDL rally was uncovered in a chance discovery. The group had traveled from Birmingham to Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, intending to strike the demonstration. However, the event had wrapped up ahead of schedule, leaving the attackers without a target. Instead of proceeding with their plans, the men opted for a meal of fish and chips before returning to Birmingham via the M1 motorway. During a routine traffic stop, one of the suspects, Omar Khan Jewel Uddin, was arrested after being found driving an uninsured Renault Laguna. The vehicle was impounded, and Uddin and his companion were released. Two days later, a worker at a car storage facility discovered a bag in the car's trunk containing the weapons. At the time of sentencing in 2013, Judge Nicholas Hilliard described the group as having immersed themselves in extremist content, including violent videos and speeches promoting jihad and retribution. The men had accumulated approximately 18,000 items of ideological material on their devices, indicating a deep commitment to radical Islamism. The judge emphasized that even though the attack did not occur, the intent to commit such violence remained unchanged. During the trial, the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson, who had initially planned to address the rally, stood in the public gallery and reportedly said, “God save the Queen,” a gesture interpreted as a sign of defiance against the charges brought against the group. Robinson had withdrawn from the event shortly before it began, citing security concerns. The case highlights the complex nature of assessing risk in the context of terrorism. While Hasseen’s actions were undeniably dangerous, the legal system must balance the gravity of past offenses with the possibility of rehabilitation. His release has reignited debate over how to handle individuals convicted of serious crimes, particularly those involving extremist ideologies. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring that measures are in place to prevent any recurrence of such threats.
3 reports
Daily MirrorIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 704 days agoMohammed Hasseen, a man convicted of plotting to bomb an English Defence League (EDL) rally in 2012, has been approved for release despite appeals against the decision. Hasseen was part of a group of six Muslim men who planned to detonate homemade bombs and attack EDL members during a far-right demonstration. The plot failed because the group arrived too late, after the rally had ended. Hasseen received a 23-year sentence in 2013 for his role in the conspiracy. Despite concerns raised by David Lammy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Justice, who called the release decision 'irrational,' the Parole Board approved his release. The court previously noted that the group had immersed themselves in extremist materials and aimed to incite a cycle of violence.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the case neutrally, citing both the Parole Board's decision and the objections raised by David Lammy. It does not favor one side over the other, providing balanced information about the severity of the crime, the legal process, and the arguments for and against the
Why factuality (85): The article reports on a case involving Mohammed Hasseen and a group planning attacks on an EDL rally in 2012. It cites legal outcomes including a 23-year sentence and a parole decision. While no primary source is available, the information aligns with public records and parliamentary statements, su
Why objectivity (70): The article presents the story from a critical perspective, using terms like 'terror fanatic,' 'sickening plot,' and 'reprehensible comments.' It frames the situation as controversial and highlights political figures' concerns, showing a clear bias toward the seriousness of the offense and the poten
Sky News (UK)IndependentConservativeFactual 75Objective 6518 hr. agoThe article reports that a court heard evidence suggesting an associate of the Manchester synagogue attacker planned a terrorist attack on a Ministry of Defence (MoD) facility. The individual described as a 'committed jihadist' was allegedly involved in planning this attack alongside the perpetrator of the synagogue incident, which resulted in fatalities.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the attacker as a 'committed jihadist,' implying extremist ideology, and emphasizes the threat posed by terrorism. This language aligns with a right-leaning perspective that highlights security threats and law enforcement actions against radicalism.
Why factuality (75): The article reports on court testimony regarding an associate of the Manchester synagogue attacker planning a terror attack on a defense base. It aligns with cross-source consensus that the attacker had ties to extremist networks and was involved in planning attacks. However, specific details like '
Why objectivity (65): The language used ('committed jihadist') carries a strong ideological connotation, suggesting a biased framing of the individual as an extremist. The article presents information from court proceedings but does not provide balanced perspectives or contextual background, resulting in lower objectivit
The IndependentIndependentCenter11 hr. agoA man named Mohammad Bashir, described as a 'long-standing, committed jihadist,' was linked to a potential terror attack on a UK defense base, according to court proceedings. Bashir allegedly drove Jihad Al-Shamie, who later attacked a Manchester synagogue, on a reconnaissance mission to the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham. Both men disposed of their phones before the attack, and subsequent analysis of their communications revealed their extremist views and planning. Al-Shamie stabbed two worshippers to death before being shot by police. Bashir pleaded guilty to preparing terrorist acts but was not directly charged with the synagogue attack. The case highlights the connection between individuals involved in terrorism and the broader implications for national security.
Bias read (Center): While the subject involves terrorism and national security, the article presents information based on court testimony and official statements without overtly promoting a specific ideological stance. It reports on the actions and motivations of the accused without taking a clear partisan position, as
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