Islington Tribune - News: Shock over terrorism raids arrests

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER and PAIUL KEILTHY
Published: 25 April 2008

Two in court after terror raids

TWO communities were in shock this week after anti-terrorist police arrested two young men for terrorism offences following raids across the borough.
The men were held at Heathrow on Tuesday and subsequently charged under the Terrorism Act after the Met’s SO15 anti-terrorism squad raided homes in Archway, Upper Holloway and the Angel on Sunday.
Twenty-year-old Qasim Abukar, from Dartmouth Park Hill, Archway, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with “conduct in preparation for giving effect to the intention of committing acts of terrorism”.
He appeared alongside Mohammed Abushamma, 20, of Strang House, Britannia Row, Islington, whose home was also raided on Sunday.
Mr Abukar lives with his parents and sister in a terraced house but is understood to have been arrested after disembarking from a flight into Heathrow on Tuesday.
Resident Gul Khoisti described the lunchtime raid: “There was about 100 police in the street. The whole road was full of them.
“They wouldn’t say why they were here and everyone thought it might be drugs, but then they went into that house.
“They were there for a complete day, doing searches.
“There has never been anything like this here. The area has its problems but you don’t hear about terrorism.”
Mr Abushamma is a former pupil at Charles Lamb Primary in Popham Road, Islington.
There was no reply at his home yesterday (Thursday) although a window sported a small St George’s Day flag.
A neighbour who did not wish to be named described Mr Abushamma as a quiet but friendly young man who was a good football player.
She added: “This is a very small community and this arrest has come as a terrible shock.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: