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Drone death Londoner's Somalia links probed | Drone death Londoner's Somalia links probed |
(30 days later) | |
Concern has been raised over the ease with which a Londoner killed in a drone attack in Somalia was able to attend militant Islamist camps in the country. | Concern has been raised over the ease with which a Londoner killed in a drone attack in Somalia was able to attend militant Islamist camps in the country. |
Bilal Berjawi, from St John's Wood, was reportedly operating at a senior level within the Islamist group al-Shabab until he was killed. | |
BBC London has now obtained a video showing a man identified as Mr Berjawi fighting alongside the group and taking part in training exercises. | BBC London has now obtained a video showing a man identified as Mr Berjawi fighting alongside the group and taking part in training exercises. |
The Home Office has not commented on the case. | The Home Office has not commented on the case. |
Mr Berjawi, born in Lebanon, is believed to have first travelled to Somalia in 2007 to attend militant camps run by the insurgent group, which is allied to al-Qaeda. | |
He then returned to the UK to raise funds for Somali fighters. | |
Early in 2009 he visited Africa again, and was detained by the authorities in Kenya. | Early in 2009 he visited Africa again, and was detained by the authorities in Kenya. |
Michael Adebolajo, one of the suspects in the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby, has also previously been arrested in Kenya while allegedly trying to join al-Shabab. | |
Mr Adebolajo denied these allegations in court in Kenya in 2010. | Mr Adebolajo denied these allegations in court in Kenya in 2010. |
Following his own arrest, Mr Berjawi was sent back to Britain, although he was never charged with any offence. | Following his own arrest, Mr Berjawi was sent back to Britain, although he was never charged with any offence. |
'Back and forth' | 'Back and forth' |
But in October 2009 he left the UK for Somalia again. | But in October 2009 he left the UK for Somalia again. |
Raffaello Pantucci, of the Royal United Services Institute, said: "It seems Berjawi was part of a community of people predominantly from London who were going back and forth to train and fight with al-Shabab in Somalia. | |
"[They] were also apparently raising money, which is crucial for these groups to continue." | "[They] were also apparently raising money, which is crucial for these groups to continue." |
In 2010, Mr Berjawi's family in London were told his British citizenship was being revoked. | In 2010, Mr Berjawi's family in London were told his British citizenship was being revoked. |
Cageprisoners, a group that advises people accused of terror offences, say he told them he felt harassed by UK security forces while living in Britain. | |
Then in 2012 he was killed in a drone attack, the death announced by Al Shabab on their Twitter feed. | Then in 2012 he was killed in a drone attack, the death announced by Al Shabab on their Twitter feed. |
Keith Vaz, chairman of the influential Home Affairs Committee, has expressed concern at Mr Berjawi's visits to Somalia given that he was known to British security services. | Keith Vaz, chairman of the influential Home Affairs Committee, has expressed concern at Mr Berjawi's visits to Somalia given that he was known to British security services. |
Mr Vaz said: "We need to make sure we stop this happening again, rather than letting information bypass us for whatever reason. | Mr Vaz said: "We need to make sure we stop this happening again, rather than letting information bypass us for whatever reason. |
"I think that needs the full facts coming from the security services, and we hope to obtain them about this and other cases as we conduct our inquiry [into wider international terrorism]." | "I think that needs the full facts coming from the security services, and we hope to obtain them about this and other cases as we conduct our inquiry [into wider international terrorism]." |
The Home Office would not comment on any of the claims. | The Home Office would not comment on any of the claims. |
Mr Berjawi's family said they did not want to comment on the allegations against him. | Mr Berjawi's family said they did not want to comment on the allegations against him. |
But his life and death in Somalia raises more questions for the security services about how they deal with British citizens trying to join militant groups abroad. | But his life and death in Somalia raises more questions for the security services about how they deal with British citizens trying to join militant groups abroad. |
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