French air passenger jailed in Abu Dhabi for bomb joke

A 66-YEAR-OLD Frenchman has been jailed in Abu Dhabi after making a bomb joke on a plane, the French foreign ministry said today.

Pensioner Jean-Louis Lioret, who was flying to Bangkok from Paris on Etihad Airways, was arrested after cabin crew overheard him using the word bomb in an exchange with his co-passenger, his brother Michel Lioret said.

During a stopover at Abu Dhabi, Lioret's neighbour asked him to keep a packet on the other seat next to him as it was empty.

Lioret's jocular "I hope it's not a bomb" was overheard and sent off alarm bells.

He was taken off the plane and grilled by police and then jailed. He was also informed that the packet contained cigarettes and not a bomb.

The French foreign ministry said it was informed of the arrest and was following the case closely.

The Australian

Spain jails 11 "men" for jihad plot

"Asians." "Men." "Men of South Asian origin." "Pakistanis." "Men." "Born in Pakistan." "Pakistani origin."

Eight paragraphs in, we learn it was a "suspected Islamist cell." Until then, one might almost have gotten the impression that Pakistan had declared war on Spain.

And that is the problem with this kind of coverage, which is, of course, thoroughly ordinary. It is not because they are "men," or "Asians," or "Pakistanis" that they are waging war on Spain. So these reports are essentially misleading.

"Asians jailed over planned metro attack," from AFP, December 15

Spain's anti-terrorism court has convicted 11 men of South Asian origin, mostly Pakistanis, in connection with a plot to stage suicide attacks in the Barcelona metro last year.

The men have received jail terms of between eight and 14 years, a copy of the ruling indicates.

They intended to "carry out a violent attack using explosives against the Barcelona metro, which could have caused many casualties", the court said on Monday.

"The indiscriminate aim is evidence of the terrorist nature of the attacks."

Shaib Iqbal and Qadeer Malik, both born in Pakistan, received the stiffest terms of 14 years and six months for "belonging to a terrorist group" and for "weapons possession".

Maroof Ahmed Mirza, also of Pakistani origin and who the court said was "the leader of the group", was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for "belonging to a terrorist group", while the other eight each received terms of eight-and-a-half years on the same charge.

Ten of the men were arrested in the northeastern city of Barcelona in January 2008 in raids during which police also recovered bomb-making equipment. Another was detained five months later in the Netherlands.

The charges were based on the declarations of an informant who was a member of the suspected Islamist cell and who then became a protected witness.

The court said the cell was inspired by Baitullah Mehsud, leader of a Pakistani Taliban group linked to al-Qaeda, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan....

In May 2007, Spain's high court acquitted 11 Pakistanis of planning extremist attacks in Barcelona, but convicted three of them of collaborating with terrorists and two of falsifying documents.

With thanks to JihadWatch

Islamic Militants Attack Philippine Jail, 31 Inmates Freed

MANILA, Philippines — An official says dozens of suspected Islamic militants stormed a jail in the volatile southern Philippines, freeing 31 inmates in a nighttime attack that sparked a gunbattle in which two people were killed.

Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul of Basilan island says about 30 gunmen destroyed a concrete wall and then barged into the provincial jail in Isabela city before dawn Sunday to free several detained Muslim guerrillas, adding that other inmates also dashed to freedom.

Police say at least 31 inmates escaped, including suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a large Muslim rebel group engaged in peace talks with the government.

Sakalahul says the jail assault sparked a brief clash that killed one attacker and a jail guard.

FoxNews

Go to jail or join jihad against India: ISI tells surrendered Taliban

NEW DELHI: In a new shift in tactics, Pakistan is planning to push as many as 60 "surrendered" Taliban into Jammu and Kashmir to become part of the "jihad" against India.

The ISI is said to have offered the extremists the option of either going to jail or crossing the Line of Control.

The "jail or jihad" option offered to the Taliban seems a useful diversion for ISI. The Pakistan military establishment has had to fight the Taliban, once its close allies in Afghanistan, but is looking to turn the situation to its advantage.

Apprehensions in Indian security circles that the crackdown by the Pakistan army on Taliban — seen as a last resort after the jihadis turned their guns on the Pakistani state — could mean trouble in Kashmir are being proved correct. Not only have infiltration attempts by regular jihadi outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba gone up, the presence of Taliban poses a new threat.

Highly placed sources said BSF and the Army had been alerted about the developments after intelligence intercepted talk about infiltration bids in the next 15 to 20 days.

"Although the Taliban is yet to successfully infiltrate into India, the coming days will pose a challenge as their attempts to sneak in are expected before the onset of winter," said a senior official. The infiltration is closely controlled and monitored by the ISI and Pakistan army which is often involved in the crossings.

The issue cropped up as a major security concern during the two-day visit to Srinagar by a high-powered central team led by cabinet secretary K M Chandrashekhar and comprising home secretary G K Pillai, defence secretary Pradeep Kumar and other senior officials.

Top security and intelligence officials deliberated over the move by state actors in Pakistan to utilize the Taliban for their objectives in Kashmir. Taking note of the assessment, officials are learnt to have unequivocally noted during the reviews in Srinagar that there was no change in Pakistan's support to terror groups post 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

The Taliban, who recently fought against Pakistan army in Swat Valley and other areas along the Pak-Afghan border, were well trained and battle-hardened. They could put their experience of fighting US troops to use in Kashmir.

Apart from the group of 60, there are nearly 250 to 300 jihadis — armed with sophisticated weapons, Thuraya satellite phones and Indian mobile SIM cards — poised at launch pads along LoC. This feeds into the view that violence could escalate in J&K in the winter months.

The meeting in Srinagar, attended by senior Army and paramilitary personnel, also took note of repeated use of Pakistani Air Force helicopters to evacuate injured infiltrators along the LoC and as many as 42 terror camps in PoK and Pakistan.

"Such incidents (like use of choppers) clearly show the involvement of Pakistani authorities in facilitating infiltration. Though our forces are fully alert to thwart Pakistani designs, the next 15-20 days are quite crucial as this is the period when they will do everything to infiltrate as many terrorists as possible," said a senior official. That is when winter will begin to set in.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Go-to-jail-or-join-jihad-against-India-ISI-tells-surrendered-Taliban/articleshow/5095277.cms

Sudan 'trousers case' woman freed

A Sudanese woman who was imprisoned for wearing trousers deemed "indecent" has been released after the country's journalist union paid a $200 fine on her behalf.

Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein, who had been found guilty of flouting the country's decency laws, said after being released on Tuesday that the fine had been paid without her permission.

"I am not happy. I told all my friends and family not to pay the fine," she said.

A Khartoum court on Monday ordered al-Hussein to pay a fine or face a month in jail, but she was spared a possible penalty of 40 lashes.

Al-Hussein refused to pay, preferring to go to jail as a means of challenging Sudan's public order act.

Al-Hussein, a former reporter working for the United Nations at the time of her arrest, said she believed there had been political pressure to free her and bring an end to the case, which has brought attention from media and rights organisations worldwide.

Mohieddin Titawi, the chairman of the journalists' union, said his group had paid the fine because it had a responsibility to "protect journalists when they are in prison".

Al-Hussein was arrested during a raid at a restaurant in Khartoum in July for wearing a pair of green slacks which she later wore in the court hearings.

Ten other women arrested along with al-Hussein have already been whipped for their offence.

Al-Hussein and two others decided to appeal in protest of Article 152 of the Sudanese penal code, which decrees up to 40 lashes for anyone "who commits an indecent act which violates public morality or wears indecent clothing".

Al-Hussein has said her clothes were respectable and that she did not break the law.

She has also said Article 152 "is both against the constitution and sharia [Islamic law]" and that nothing in the Quran says that women should be flogged over what they wear.

Last year nearly 43,000 women were detained for indecent clothing offences in Khartoum region, according to al-Hussein's supporters.

Women's groups have complained that the law gives no clear definition of indecent dress, leaving the decision of whether to arrest a woman up to individual police officers.

Source: Al Jazeera (English)

UN seeks access to secret Israeli jail

From correspondents in Geneva

May 06

THE United Nations anti-torture committee to day asked Israel to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross access to a secret detention facility where torture is allegedly being practiced.

"Allegations of torture, ill-treatment and poor detention conditions in this facility have been reported to the committee," said a document prepared for a hearing held today on Israel's record on torture.

The committee of 10 independent experts demanded that Israel release information on the alleged "Facility 1391" which is situated in an "undetermined location within Israel and which is not accessible to the International Committee of the Red Cross or detainees' lawyers or relatives".

"What measures have been undertaken to ensure appropriate access by ICRC to all detainees in this facility?" the committee asked.

It said that it had received reports alleging that "Palestinian detainees are subjected by Israeli security officials to acts in violation" of the anti-torture convention, including beatings, sleep deprivations and sharp twisting of the head.

In a written reply, Israel denied that it was operating the facility or using it to interrogate suspects.

"For several years now, the ISA (Israel Security Agency) is not involved in any way in operating that facility, and no ISA interrogations are conducted there. Furthermore, since September 2006, the facility has not been used for detention," said Israel.

It said that allegations of torture had been investigated by "competent authorities and no grounds for criminal proceedings were found", decisions which were upheld by Israel's Supreme Court.

Shai Nitzan, deputy state attorney for special affairs at Israel's Ministry of Justice, who led the Israeli delegation, said at the hearing in Geneva that the country's laws prohibit the use of torture during interrogations.

"Preventing terrorism effectively while ensuring that the basic human rights of even the most dangerous and brutal criminals are protected, is clearly a demanding and complex task.
"Indeed, as a democracy, Israel must often fight with one hand tied behind its back," said Mr Nitzan.

The committee also asked Israel to explain a law which allows for Palestinian detainees, including children from the age of 12, to be held for a period of up to eight days before being brought before a judge.

"How does the state party reconcile the order with its obligation under... the convention to take effective measures to prevent torture?" asked the committee.

According to the UN special rapporteur on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, some 700 Palestinian minors were arrested in 2006, with 25 held on administrative detention orders.

Solitary confinement was also used to get confessions from minors and as a punishment, said the special rapporteur.

Source: The Australian

Muslim lawyer Choudary: It is an "obligation" to free fellow Muslims from infidel prisons

By Simon Hughes

Hate preacher Anjem Choudary has called on fellow fanatics to free Muslim prisoners held in British and foreign jails.

On a secret recording obtained by The Sun, he rants that it is “only a matter of time” before the flag of Islam flies over Downing Street, the White House and the Kremlin in Moscow.

But he warns that in the struggle: “Some of our brothers will become martyred, some will become injured, others will be captured and tortured.”

Former lawyer Choudary, 47, who lives on state benefits, tells his followers they have “a fahad” — an obligation — to free Muslims from jail. He cites the “sisters” held in London’s Belmarsh and Holloway prisons.

Then, during a speech to a conference entitled Innocent Until Proven Muslim, he names the blind sheik Abdullah Rahman, jailed for life in the United States for plotting a terrorist bombing campaign in New York.

Conservative MP Patrick Mercer urged the Home Office to investigate “another outrage from this hideous man”.

Source: The Sun
H/T: Jihad Watch

Young westernized "Asian" who worships Bin Laden - spared Jail

Convicted: Shella Roma

A woman who produced a leaflet inciting people to commit terrorist acts has been spared jail.

Shella Roma urged readers to go abroad to fight a jihad or holy war. Manchester Crown Court heard that Roma, who was said to suffer from a 'dissociative disorder', produced two drafts of the document entitled The Call.

It refers to conspiracy theories and suggests that 9/11 took place to benefit the Freemasons and ends: "Will you go to Jihad (holy war)? Jihad: the choice is yours."

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said the leaflet written by the 'highly intelligent' mother-of-one referred to the events of 9/11 as 'an inside job'.

He added: "She affirms that the loyalty of British Muslims should be to their religion and that she has no allegiance towards the country in which she was born and grew up." Read more ...

Source: Asian News
H/T: Weasel Zippers

Anarchy at Jail that 'Panders' to Muslim Lags

Governor Steve Rodford is pandering to political correctness

By Jerry Lawton

Muslim gangs have created no-go areas for warders in a British jail.

Guards claim the Islamic mobs are “a law unto themselves”.

And prison staff have passed a vote of no confidence in their governor.

MP Malcolm Moss, 65, said Whitemoor Prison, Cambs, was descending into turmoil.

He added that staff blamed governor Steve Rodford for pandering to political correctness and making the Muslims untouchable.

The Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire warned the unrest had created a “tense” atmosphere not seen since the 90s when the IRA maintained an inner sanctum inside the maximum security prison. He said: “Serious problems will arise if there is dissatisfaction among staff at top security prisons, as is currently the case at Whitemoor.

“There are no-go sections policed by Muslim inmates, not staff. In the 1990s officers couldn’t do their jobs properly and prisoners did what they like. We may be operating a similar situation.”

A third of the 458 inmates at Whitemoor are Muslims. Mr Moss claimed they were segregated from other prisoners. Read more ...

Source: Daily StarSteve Rodford
Latest recipient of The Dhimmi Award

Jail Agrees to Allow Headscarves for Muslim Inmates

ORANGE, Calif. - A Southern California county will allow jailed Muslim women to wear headscarves after settling a lawsuit with a woman who claims that deputies violated her religious freedom by making her remove her hijab.

The settlement agreement signed by the county last week and released Monday specifies that Muslim women must be provided a private area to remove their headscarves after arrest and must be provided with county-issued headscarves to cover themselves when they are in the presence of men.

The county, which did not admit wrongdoing, will also pay $45,000 in damages. Plaintiff Jameelah Medina will get $10,000 after subtracting attorney fees, said Hector Villagra, director of the Orange County office of the American Civil Liberties Union.

A spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Department did not immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press.

Medina, 30, was arrested in December 2005 in Pomona for having an invalid train pass. She spent 12 hours in jail but was never prosecuted. Read more ...

Source: AP

Parents to face jail for child marriages

Sweden: Parents who allow children under the age of 16 to get married in another country could face up to two years in jail.

The proposal comes as part of a report on human trafficking commissioned by the government and scheduled to be handed over to Justice Minister Beatrice Ask on Tuesday, according to news agency TT.

The inquiry that led to the reports was headed by appeals court judge Agneta Lindelöf, who was given the task in 2006 of looking at ways to tighten legislation surrounding human trafficking. Read more ...

Source: The Local