Birmingham Terror Plot 1

BEHEADING PLOT A "WAKE UP CALL" WARNS MUSLIM MP

19-02-2008

Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood has said the life sentence handed down to an Islamist “fanatic” from Alum Rock for plotting to kidnap and behead a soldier is a “wake up call” to the local Muslim community.

Mahmood was reacting to the conviction yesterday of terror mastermind Parviz Khan, who was told by the judge, Justice Henriques, that he’ll serve at least 14 years.

“There were some people who were saying this was a trumped up charge and would come to nothing,” said the Perry Barr MP, who is a Muslim himself.

“They’ve got to stop burying their heads in the sand. This time it was a soldier who was the intended victim, but next time it could be someone else. This affects all of us.

“This is no part of any religion, and we should all condemn it.”

Leicester Crown Court had heard how Khan planned to recruit local drug dealers to snare his victim on Broad Street before beheading him “like a pig”.

The Judge, Justice Henriques, said he “unhesitatingly” accepted the prosecution’s view of him as a “man who has the most violent and extreme Islamist views and as a fanatic.” (http://tinyurl.com/3dhfxb)

Basiru Gassama from Hodge Hill received a two-year sentence for failing to tell police about the plot, but was released because of the length of time he’s spent in custody – albeit with a recommendation that he be deported to his homeland of Morrocco.

Khan had also organised a supply chain for extremists in Pakistan, and sent gloves for snipers and night vision apparatus.

Three men were jailed for helping him export terrorist equipment: Dorridge Cricket Club batsman Zahoor Iqbal from Perry Barr was given seven years; Mohammed Irfan from Alum Rock, four years, and Hamid Elasmar from Edgbaston three years, four months.

The case has placed Birmingham at the centre of UK-based terrorism, but Khalid Mahmood insists that the men involved are not typical of local Muslims.

“I don’t think this runs that deep,” he said.

“There are very few individuals who have got that kind of approach, but we must do everything we can to root them out, and support the security services.

“This is a wake up call”.