Controversy Erupts Over Release of Terrorist Linked to Manchester Bomber

[Social Media]

 

The release of Abdalraouf Abdallah, a convicted terrorist with ties to the radicalization of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for intervention from the Justice Secretary. Abdallah, a childhood friend of Abedi, was freed from HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire this week after serving his full sentence, despite being deemed a continuing danger to the public.

 

 

Abdallah's release comes just two months after the Parole Board rejected an early release plea, citing assessments from his prison officer, psychologist, and probation officer, all of whom agreed he posed a "high risk of serious harm to the public." Reports stated that Abdallah remained engaged with extremist ideologies and retained an intent to commit terrorist-related offenses. Despite these concerns, his automatic release was mandated as his sentence had expired.

 

Abdallah, now 31, had been jailed for facilitating travel to Syria for individuals seeking to join the Islamic State group. In 2021, he was recalled to prison after breaching license conditions, underscoring the risks associated with his release. His potential to influence and radicalize others remained a central issue, with reports highlighting that he could exploit any accommodation or contacts post-release to further extremism.

 

The release has prompted a fierce backlash, with Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick leading calls for action. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jenrick said: “This is the terrorist, Abdalraouf Abdallah. He was released on Tuesday. His prison officer, psychologist, and parole officer said he was ‘high risk,’ ‘engaging with extremism,’ and intended to ‘commit terrorist-related offending.’ The Justice Secretary must intervene.”

 

According to documents from his parole hearing, Abdallah exhibited no significant change in his extremist mindset, and the proposed measures for managing his release were criticized as insufficiently robust. His continued engagement with extremism raised alarm among officials, who concluded that public safety could not be guaranteed under current release plans.

 

The case has reignited debates about the adequacy of the UK’s system for managing the release of dangerous offenders. Critics argue that the automatic release mechanism, which is triggered when sentences expire, fails to account for the ongoing risks posed by individuals like Abdallah. Calls for reform have intensified as public and political figures question whether the existing legal framework adequately prioritizes public safety.

 

The Justice Secretary is now under pressure to take urgent action. Jenrick and others have emphasized the gravity of the threat Abdallah poses, particularly given his previous role in radicalizing Abedi, whose attack on the Manchester Arena in 2017 claimed 22 lives and left scores injured.

 

The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in balancing legal obligations with the imperative to protect the public from individuals who, even after serving their sentences, remain committed to dangerous ideologies. Whether Abdallah’s release will prompt changes to the system remains to be seen, but the anger surrounding the decision underscores the need for a comprehensive review of policies governing the release of high-risk offenders.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-11-29

 

 

 

[Watawattana]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

The release of Abdalraouf Abdallah, a convicted terrorist with ties to the radicalization of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for intervention from the Justice Secretary. Abdallah, a childhood friend of Abedi, was freed from HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire this week after serving his full sentence, despite being deemed a continuing danger to the public.

Much as it pains me, he has served his full sentence.  If he has committed another crime then try him and send him back if guilty.  This time for long enough so that it's the Parole Service who decide his release or not; they seem far better to judge the risk to society than the rest of the criminal justice system.