Following up on Friday’s commentary about two Iraqis arrested in Kentucky and charged with trying to aid al-Qaeda, there is this: dozens of convicted Islamic terrorists are to be released from British prisons this year despite warnings it will be impossible to keep track of them.
At least 45 terrorists, including several who have been convicted of involvement in plots designed to murder hundreds of people, are scheduled for release during the next 18 months.
Many have served only half their sentences and are deemed a threat. The releases have been championed by liberal Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. His reasoning is hard to fathom.
One of those scheduled to be released is Saajid Badat, a member of the notorious “shoebomber plot” to bring down a transatlantic airliner. Badat never got on the plane, but Richard Reid did. Reid was overpowered by passengers when his bomb fizzled and is now serving life in prison.
By releasing convicted terrorists who can’t be tracked, the British government is inviting more attacks.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
This article published on June 6, 2011.
