Half of terror suspects are freed without any charges
By Jason Bennetto, in the Independent, 30 April 2004

Half of the people arrested in Britain for suspected terrorism offences since the 11 September attacks in 2001 have been released without charge. Fewer than a fifth of the 572 people detained were charged with terrorism offences, with the rest facing criminal trials or being accused of breaking immigration laws. more

Man U bomb plot probe ends in farce
Tariq Panja and Martin Bright, The Observer, May 2

Tickets to a Manchester United game found during anti-terrorist raids sparked fears of a suicide attack on Old Trafford. But they were for an old match and had been kept as souvenirs by the suspects, who were fans of the club.

The revelation will lead to further criticism of the operation which led to the arrest of 10 people by armed Greater Manchester police in dawn raids last month. All have since been released without charge.

The botched operation will also raise questions about the national anti-terrorist strategy of 'disruption'. The controversial policy is designed to unsettle terror cells working within immigrant communities in Britain by carrying out sweeps of arrests which are not necessarily designed to lead to charges. Many Muslim leaders now believe disruption is beginning to alienate communities from the police. more from the observer

Nobody seems to know more about the Iraqi Kurds detained withaout any real evidence, just some out of date tickets... seems like they were just fans. The policy seems to be an arrest and deport policy leading to deportations for immigration irregularities, and further alienation of ethnic minorities rather than effective anti terror action.

Campaign Against Criminalising Communities said that they did not know anything further about the case. They put forward the immigration/intimidation line... pointing to a North African man who was deported after the raids.

Analysis and statistics about Terror legislation from Statewatch