Will Be Released From Prison
The case against a Birmingham man, charged with attending a terrorist training camp in Syria, has been discontinued.
Moazzam Begg, 46 and from Hall Green, will be released from prison where he has been on remand since March. His trial was due to start on October 6.
Police and lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the new material, previously not known to the police investigation and concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of gaining a conviction.
Assistant chief constable Marcus Beale says: “Terrorism investigations are often long and complex. This case was no exception.
“New material has recently been disclosed to police and CPS, which has a significant impact on key pieces of evidence that underpinned the prosecution’s case. Our criminal justice system – quite rightly – demands a very high standard of proof.
“I understand this is going to raise many questions. However, explaining what this newly revealed information is would mean discussing other aspects of the case which would be unfair and inappropriate as they are no longer going to be tested in court.
“From the beginning this case has challenged the relationship between West Midlands Police and some of the communities we serve.
“I would like to reassure them and Mr Begg that at every stage of this investigation my officers acted in the best interests of the public and of justice.
“This case has been investigated in a diligent and professional manner. Today’s events demonstrate that the police and CPS continually assess the evidence in terrorism prosecutions and will alter course if that is the right and proper thing to do.”
Full charges against Mr Begg were: attending a terrorist training camp, facilitating terrorism and possession of a document likely to be of use to a terrorist.
