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Pensioner marries terror suspect | Pensioner marries terror suspect |
(10 minutes later) | |
A white middle-class pensioner who converted to Islam and wed an Algerian terrorist suspect in a Muslim ceremony is campaigning to prove his innocence. | A white middle-class pensioner who converted to Islam and wed an Algerian terrorist suspect in a Muslim ceremony is campaigning to prove his innocence. |
Her husband, known as "P", is among 27 foreign nationals the government wants to deport on national security grounds and has been linked to al-Qaeda. | Her husband, known as "P", is among 27 foreign nationals the government wants to deport on national security grounds and has been linked to al-Qaeda. |
He had been in prison but was released on strict bail conditions. | |
Supporters have called on the UK to put the former detainee, now living in London, on trial if it has evidence. | Supporters have called on the UK to put the former detainee, now living in London, on trial if it has evidence. |
His wife, known as Farzana, told the BBC she has been shunned by her family since the wedding. | His wife, known as Farzana, told the BBC she has been shunned by her family since the wedding. |
"He is no terrorist," she said. "I am 100% sure he is innocent. My family were horrified. They accused me of marrying a terrorist and I am trying to tell them he is not." | "He is no terrorist," she said. "I am 100% sure he is innocent. My family were horrified. They accused me of marrying a terrorist and I am trying to tell them he is not." |
He means everything to me, otherwise I would not have given up my previous life Farzana | He means everything to me, otherwise I would not have given up my previous life Farzana |
The Islamic wedding took place over the phone, because her husband's movements are restricted to a one-mile radius which prevented him from going to a mosque. | The Islamic wedding took place over the phone, because her husband's movements are restricted to a one-mile radius which prevented him from going to a mosque. |
"I was just asked over the phone if I would marry him and of course I said yes," she said. | "I was just asked over the phone if I would marry him and of course I said yes," she said. |
The couple have since applied to the Home Office for permission to have a registry office ceremony so that the marriage will be registered under UK law. | |
Farzana said she has suffered abuse and has been punched because she has taken to wearing a veil. | Farzana said she has suffered abuse and has been punched because she has taken to wearing a veil. |
But she said: "I had no doubts and still have no doubts. He means everything to me, otherwise I would not have given up my previous life." | But she said: "I had no doubts and still have no doubts. He means everything to me, otherwise I would not have given up my previous life." |
'Firm' evidence | 'Firm' evidence |
The majority of the 27 terror suspects are in prison, but some, such as P, are on strict bail conditions. | The majority of the 27 terror suspects are in prison, but some, such as P, are on strict bail conditions. |
P's conditions also mean he is only allowed out of his home for three hours a day and has been tagged. | P's conditions also mean he is only allowed out of his home for three hours a day and has been tagged. |
This kind of intelligence dealing with individuals... is much more firmly based than other kinds of intelligence Crispin Black, former government analyst | This kind of intelligence dealing with individuals... is much more firmly based than other kinds of intelligence Crispin Black, former government analyst |
P told the BBC before he met Farzana his life under the restrictions was almost unbearable. | P told the BBC before he met Farzana his life under the restrictions was almost unbearable. |
He said he came to the UK to "start a fresh life and forget what happened in Algeria". | He said he came to the UK to "start a fresh life and forget what happened in Algeria". |
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission has considered his case on several occasions and he is due to have another hearing next year which may result in his deportation to Algeria. | The Special Immigration Appeals Commission has considered his case on several occasions and he is due to have another hearing next year which may result in his deportation to Algeria. |
The security services say he has raised funds for terrorists. | The security services say he has raised funds for terrorists. |
He is alleged to have played a part in a planned attack in Strasbourg, France, in 2000 and has been connected to jailed cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. | He is alleged to have played a part in a planned attack in Strasbourg, France, in 2000 and has been connected to jailed cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. |
Crispin Black, a former government intelligence analyst, maintains it is "ridiculous" for people to suggest the intelligence services are making allegations up. | Crispin Black, a former government intelligence analyst, maintains it is "ridiculous" for people to suggest the intelligence services are making allegations up. |
"This kind of intelligence dealing with individuals - counter-terror intelligence - is much more firmly based than other kinds of intelligence where there have been big mistakes in the past," he said. | "This kind of intelligence dealing with individuals - counter-terror intelligence - is much more firmly based than other kinds of intelligence where there have been big mistakes in the past," he said. |
The Home Office does not comment on individual immigration cases. | The Home Office does not comment on individual immigration cases. |
"Where a foreign national living in the UK poses a threat to this country, we will seek to remove them," a spokesman said. | "Where a foreign national living in the UK poses a threat to this country, we will seek to remove them," a spokesman said. |
"The circumstances of our national security have changed. It is vital that we act against those who threaten it which is why the government has signalled a new approach to deportation orders under existing grounds." | "The circumstances of our national security have changed. It is vital that we act against those who threaten it which is why the government has signalled a new approach to deportation orders under existing grounds." |