Some of Britain’s most dangerous Al Qaeda leaders are promoting jihad from inside high-security prisons by smuggling out propaganda for the internet and finding recruits, the Sunday Times reported.
In an authoritative report, Quilliam, a think tank funded by the Home Office, claims “mismanagement” by the Prison Service is helping Al Qaeda gain recruits and risks “strengthening jihadist movements,” according to the paper.
Abu Qatada, described by MI5 as “Osama Bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe,” has published fatwas — religious rulings — on the internet from Long Lartin prison, in Worcestershire, England, calling for holy war and the murder of moderate Muslims, it reveals, the paper reported.
Abu Doha — said to be Al Qaeda’s main recruiter in Europe — has taken courses in Belmarsh prison, south London, enabling him to mentor other inmates.
Abu Hamza, jailed in 2006 for inciting murder, has preached radical sermons to followers using water pipes in his Belmarsh cell, and Rachid Ramda, the Algerian leader of the Paris Métro bomb plot, led Friday prayers in the same jail, the paper reported.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox