Asylum centre rampage 'planned'

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A rampage at an immigration centre that caused extensive damage and put lives at risk "was planned", Southwark Crown Court has heard.

The disturbance at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, London, lasted for 12 hours in November 2006.

Jurors heard windows were broken, CCTV cameras damaged and fires started.

Ali Mohammed Ahmed, Sherif El-Gazzaz, Andrey Pylaev and Alexsey Goryachiev all deny conspiracy to commit violent disorder and to damage property.

Mr Mohammed Ahmed, a 20-year-old Palestinian national, and his co-accused are charged with planning the disturbance between 31 October 31 and 30 November 2006.

He was told 'there is to be some sort of smash-up, some sort of kick-off, officers are to be attacked' Prosecutor Gareth Patterson

Egyptian Mr El-Gazzaz, 21, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to two counts of damaging property.

Russian Mr Pylaev, 22 , also of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to two specific counts of damaging property.

Fellow countryman Mr Goryachiev, 26, of Victoria Street, Southport, Merseyside, denies one count of the same charge.

Prosecutor Gareth Patterson said that one witness, Palestinian illegal immigrant Rashid Mahr, will tell the court that one of five alleged ringleaders, Salah Al-Rutaimi, tried to "recruit" him to the planned disturbance, months before.

'Recruitment hopes'

"He says the Arab asked him come into an association room in B Wing and asked if he would join in a disturbance he was planning," said Mr Patterson.

"He was told 'there is to be some sort of smash-up, some sort of kick-off, officers are to be attacked'.

"Al-Rutaimi wanted Mr Mahr, hoping he could recruit Asians at the centre. He asked Mr Mahr to bring friends each day to the association centre so that the plans could be hatched."

The prosecutor said Mr Mahr, who refused to be involved, would testify that the four men in the dock were also present at that meeting.

Mr Patterson told the court that hours before the disturbance, on the night of 28 November, there was an "indication" of problems, which eventually led to "aggressive" behaviour by a large number of detainees.

The case continues.