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| Moazzam Begg: Former Guantanamo Bay detainee cleared of terror charges | Moazzam Begg: Former Guantanamo Bay detainee cleared of terror charges |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg is to walk free from prison after seven terror charges against him were dropped by prosecutors. | Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg is to walk free from prison after seven terror charges against him were dropped by prosecutors. |
| The 45-year-old has been in custody for seven months awaiting trial on charges connected to the civil war in Syria, including an allegation he attended a terrorism training camp there. | The 45-year-old has been in custody for seven months awaiting trial on charges connected to the civil war in Syria, including an allegation he attended a terrorism training camp there. |
| Begg, of Birmingham, was formally acquitted of all charges when he appeared today before the Old Bailey via video link from high security Belmarsh prison. | |
| His trial had been due to start on Monday after he pleaded not guilty to all the charges at an earlier hearing. | His trial had been due to start on Monday after he pleaded not guilty to all the charges at an earlier hearing. |
| But the prosecution dramatically dropped the case at a pre-trial review today. | But the prosecution dramatically dropped the case at a pre-trial review today. |
| Begg spoke only to confirm his name and made no reaction as Mr Justice Wilkie directed that he be formally found not guilty during the five-minute hearing. | Begg spoke only to confirm his name and made no reaction as Mr Justice Wilkie directed that he be formally found not guilty during the five-minute hearing. |
| He is expected to be released from the jail, in south east London, later today. | He is expected to be released from the jail, in south east London, later today. |
| During the hearing, Prosecutor Christopher Hehir said: "The prosecution in every criminal case of every type have a duty to keep under review the sufficiency of the evidence. | During the hearing, Prosecutor Christopher Hehir said: "The prosecution in every criminal case of every type have a duty to keep under review the sufficiency of the evidence. |
| "When Mr Begg was charged with a number of offences earlier this year the Crown Prosecution Service were satisfied there was sufficient evidence to afford prosecution. | "When Mr Begg was charged with a number of offences earlier this year the Crown Prosecution Service were satisfied there was sufficient evidence to afford prosecution. |
| "In the months that have followed the prosecution have kept under review the sufficiency of the evidence in this case. | "In the months that have followed the prosecution have kept under review the sufficiency of the evidence in this case. |
| "The prosecution have recently become aware of relevant material and in light of which, after careful and anxious consideration, have reached the conclusion that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction in this case. The prosecution therefore offer no evidence." | "The prosecution have recently become aware of relevant material and in light of which, after careful and anxious consideration, have reached the conclusion that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction in this case. The prosecution therefore offer no evidence." |
| The judge responded: "On the indication of the Crown offering no evidence verdicts of not guilty should be entered." | The judge responded: "On the indication of the Crown offering no evidence verdicts of not guilty should be entered." |
| Begg was charged with seven counts. The first related to attending a terrorism training camp in Syria between October 9, 2012 and April 9, 2013. | Begg was charged with seven counts. The first related to attending a terrorism training camp in Syria between October 9, 2012 and April 9, 2013. |
| The next five charges were for the possession of "an article" for a purpose connected to terrorism between December 31, 2012 and February 26, 2014. | The next five charges were for the possession of "an article" for a purpose connected to terrorism between December 31, 2012 and February 26, 2014. |
| They were listed as being electronic documents with the titles Camp 1, Camp 2, Tactical Training Schedule, Camp Rules, and Fitness Training Schedule (training exercises). | They were listed as being electronic documents with the titles Camp 1, Camp 2, Tactical Training Schedule, Camp Rules, and Fitness Training Schedule (training exercises). |
| Finally, Begg, was charged with funding terrorism by making available a Honda generator between July 14 and July 26, 2013. | |
| Begg, who has been in custody since March, was refused bail at a hearing in May, despite fears for his mental health. | Begg, who has been in custody since March, was refused bail at a hearing in May, despite fears for his mental health. |
| The court heard that Begg was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from his time in Guantanamo Bay. | The court heard that Begg was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from his time in Guantanamo Bay. |
| His lawyer Ben Emmerson QC said some of his symptoms had re-emerged since he had been in custody. | His lawyer Ben Emmerson QC said some of his symptoms had re-emerged since he had been in custody. |
| "Theoretically the longer he is in custody the worse there are likely to become," Mr Emmerson said. | "Theoretically the longer he is in custody the worse there are likely to become," Mr Emmerson said. |
| Following the hearing, West Midlands Police assistant chief constable Marcus Beale said: "Terrorism investigations are often long and complex. This case was no exception. | Following the hearing, West Midlands Police assistant chief constable Marcus Beale said: "Terrorism investigations are often long and complex. This case was no exception. |
| "New material has recently been disclosed to police and CPS, which has a significant impact on key pieces of evidence that underpinned the prosecution's case. Our criminal justice system - quite rightly - demands a very high standard of proof. | "New material has recently been disclosed to police and CPS, which has a significant impact on key pieces of evidence that underpinned the prosecution's case. Our criminal justice system - quite rightly - demands a very high standard of proof. |
| "I understand this is going to raise many questions. However, explaining what this newly revealed information is would mean discussing other aspects of the case which would be unfair and inappropriate as they are no longer going to be tested in court. | "I understand this is going to raise many questions. However, explaining what this newly revealed information is would mean discussing other aspects of the case which would be unfair and inappropriate as they are no longer going to be tested in court. |
| "From the beginning this case has challenged the relationship between West Midlands Police and some of the communities we serve. | "From the beginning this case has challenged the relationship between West Midlands Police and some of the communities we serve. |
| "I would like to reassure them and Mr Begg that at every stage of this investigation my officers acted in the best interests of the public and of justice. | "I would like to reassure them and Mr Begg that at every stage of this investigation my officers acted in the best interests of the public and of justice. |
| "This case has been investigated in a diligent and professional manner. Today's events demonstrate that the police and CPS continually assess the evidence in terrorism prosecutions and will alter course if that is the right and proper thing to do." | "This case has been investigated in a diligent and professional manner. Today's events demonstrate that the police and CPS continually assess the evidence in terrorism prosecutions and will alter course if that is the right and proper thing to do." |
| Additional reporting by Press Association | Additional reporting by Press Association |