Rochdale-born Al-Qaeda terrorist denied parole

Convicted terrorist Rangzieb Ahmed has been denied parole

A Rochdale-born Al-Qaeda terrorist will remain in prison after being denied parole.

Rangzieb Ahmed, 47, was the first UK citizen to be convicted for directing terrorism and was also found guilty of directing and plotting with Al-Qaeda in December 2008.

He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of ten years, having also been found guilty of possessing diaries containing leading terrorists' phone numbers.

Ahmed’s case was considered at oral hearings on 8 July 2019, 10 June 2021 and 27 July 2022.

In reaching its decision, the panel considered the contents of Ahmed’s dossier, prepared by the Secretary of State. At the hearings, the panel took oral evidence from Ahmed’s two probation officers based in the community, his former probation officer in the community, the officials supervising his case in his current prison and an earlier prison, two psychologists employed by the prison service, other professionals in the prison service, a former police officer and a professor of Arabic studies.

Ahmed, who was legally represented at the hearing, also gave evidence to the panel. The Secretary of State’s representative was party to the proceedings and also asked questions of witnesses.

In its written decision, the Parole Board said Ahmed had undertaken an accredited programme to address extremist offending and ways of disengaging.

However, the Parole Board panel said it “could not be satisfied that all areas of risk had been identified” as it had identified concerns about his attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour in custody.

The panel concluded: “After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearings, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Ahmed was suitable for release. He will be eligible for another parole review in due course.”
 

Read more: Rochdale-born Al-Qaeda terrorist to appear at parole hearing next yearPublished: 17 December 2019

Ahmed appealed his conviction after his lawyers alleged that British intelligence authorities were complicit with torture he suffered at the hands of their Pakistani counterparts, claiming that he was repeatedly beaten and his fingernails ripped out over a period of three weeks in captivity.

The appeal was dismissed in 2011.
 

Read more:
Appeal by convicted terrorist dismissed Published: 25 February 2011
MP claims intelligence 'torture' cover-upPublished: 08 July 2009
Terror plotter makes police ‘torture’ allegationsPublished: 07 July 2009
CAGED FOR LIFE: Rochdale terror plotter brought to justicePublished: 19 December 2008