Guardian : Discharge for two transatlantic bomb 'plot' accused

Discharge for two transatlantic bomb 'plot' accused

November 1, 2006

Two brothers charged in connection with the alleged transatlantic airliner bomb plot walked free from court today after a judge found there was "insufficient" evidence to put them on trial.

Mehran Hussain, 24, and Umair Hussain, 25, both of Chingford, east London, were discharged by district judge Quentin Purdy after a committal hearing at the City of Westminster magistrates court in central London.

The brothers, who were arrested at their home on August 9, had been accused of failing to disclose information about their brother Nabeel, 22, a suspect in the case. They were among more than a dozen people variously charged in connection with the alleged plot.

Addressing the men, district judge Purdy said: "On the evidence before me there is insufficient material to put you on trial."

But he told the men that today's decision did not necessarily mean proceedings were over. If any further material came to light, the discharge would not prevent prosecutors from taking action on this or any other matter arising.

It was a "discharge on the basis of insufficient evidence at this stage, that does not necessarily mean an acquittal".

The men left the court without comment. They were joined by relatives and supporters, some of whom were crying with relief.

A Crown Prosecution Service statement said: "We believed there was sufficient evidence to charge these defendants with an offence under section 38 (b) of the Terrorism Act 2000. The court decided today that there was no case to answer. We respect the court's decision."

Zahir Ahmed, who represents Mehran Hussain, said his client had "maintained his innocence through from the moment of his arrest".

Timor Rustem, for Umair Hussain, said outside court that his client was "very pleased" to be back with his family.

Last Friday, after a hearing in chambers at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith granted bail to Nabeel Hussain and a 17-year-old male who cannot be named because of his age.