Posted on 08/11/2006 1:25:42 PM PDT by LibWhacker
LONDON (Reuters) - Muslims criticised the government on Friday for publishing the names of 19 men who police sources say are under arrest for allegedly plotting to blow up passenger planes bound for the United States.
The government instructed the Bank of England to publish the names on its Web site on Thursday, just hours after police arrested 24 people in connection with the suspected plot.
Police have not named the 24 but a police source confirmed they include the 19 named by the central bank. Although the bank did not give the addresses of the 19, it listed their dates of birth and the areas where they live.
The bank's action is unusual. Normally, authorities do not publish the names of suspects until they have been formally charged and identified by the police.
But the government defended the move, saying it was essential to ensure the assets of the 19 were frozen.
"The Treasury has informed us that this is a normal procedure," Home Secretary John Reid told a news conference.
"When people's assets are frozen, the names are published, and this, the Treasury tells us, is part of the obligation of ensuring that people cannot deal with such individuals in the transfer of assets."
Some Muslim groups said the move was unnecessary and could hamper the suspects' chance of a fair trial if they are eventually charged in connection with the plot.
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), an umbrella group representing Muslim students, said it was "extremely disappointed" by the government's action.
"It is important to wait until a thorough investigation has taken place before pointing fingers and drawing conclusions," FOSIS spokesman Wakkas Khan said in a statement.
"It is important to maintain the legal principles we hold dear, namely the concept of innocent until proven guilty."
The government said that in publishing the names, it was not inferring guilt.
Police are still questioning the 24 suspects and can hold them for up to 28 days before either charging or releasing them.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, a radical Islamist party which the government says it plans to ban, said it too was dismayed by the publication of the names.
"It concerns us that there is already talk in the media about the ethnic identity of the suspects, and that suspects are presumed guilty before any due process," said Imran Waheed, spokesman for the British branch of the party.
"We urge caution before jumping to conclusions."
Many Muslims accuse the police of unfairly targeting their community in their crackdown on terrorism.
Since 2000, police have arrested over 700 people -- many of them Muslims -- under tough anti-terrorism laws, but have brought only a handful to court. The vast majority have been released without charge.
I may be wrong, but I have yet to hear any Muslim groups actually condemn the PLOT TO BLOW UP PLANES!!! Am I wrong, did I just miss it?
Whose this "we" they are talking about anyway?
hahahahahahahahaha... lol.. *snort*... hahahahahahaha
Tell that to the IRA
Ship them off in sheetrock boats.
If the police fairly target the Mohammedan community will that be better?
Methinks they protesteth WAY TOO MUCH.
Now you're going to have to go into hiding Creek.
But the Jews supplied the money.
And Carl Rove came up with the plan.
Sooner or later, this PC BS is going to come to a screeching halt, and the middle eastern type males between the ages of 18 and 35 are going to be profiled, captured, and sent back to the sandbox. They are using the ACLU and our own constitution against us. The Constitution is for citizens, not illegal alien terrorists.
"ha ha suicide bombers asking for fairness? Priceless."
No, actually it's scary. Because I know fully 1/2 the people in the US would be on their side. Who knows what the percentage in England is that supports their call for fairness? England slanted much more to the left than we are.
Move back to SandLand.
STFU, Wakis and Waheed. You're next.
Yes, you missed it.
CAIR did. Just before they darkly lectured the rest of us not to draw any conclusions this has anything to do with Islam or Muslims.
Any criticism of the plot itself yet by these sub-humans??
The enemy speaks. I yawn and find a Koran to piss on.
Did you know that the names Wakkas and Waheed, translated into English, are BEAVIS and BUTTHEAD?
Huh huh durka durka huh huh.
Holy Geebus.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.