Trial by media / State of Fear

[Oneeyedvic]

After the arrests of 12 Pakistani men 2 weeks ago for alleged terrorist activities, they have ALL been released without charge.

At the time, several people on here assumed that they must be guilty and even asked for legislation to be passed to stop Pakistani nationals travelling between here and Pakistan.

Are we becoming increasingly guilty of believing the press and are they in turn being manipulated so that we are living is a state of fear?

Incidentally, I am sure that there will be several people who still think that they are guilty (no smoke without fire after all) - and in seems even the Prime Minister seems to imply their guilt as they are seeking to deport these people despite the fact that they have not committed any crime.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8011341.stm

[Joy11]

alas craft is spot on Mani, they are running around like headless chickens, but back to the post in question, how were these people allowed in with dodgy documents?
and as maybe, a bit thin on the ground with a conviction, so yes, get them out of the country, They were obviously under surveilance....for something.

[Oneeyedvic]

Why do you think they have dodgy documents?

[Joy11]

One in particular, was told by immigration he had the wrong documents, to go away and return with the legal ones, that was on the news.....

[anotheoldgit]

I was one who called for the lax travel back and forward from Pakistan to be halted, and I still stand by this.

Whatever happened over this affair only the security people know. What we do know is the fact that British subjects are travelling over to Pakistan, then being trained in terrorist training camps and then slipped over the Border into Afghanistan or returned to Britain.

While this ease of travel to Pakistan remains, everyone should remain vigilant, and not take the attitude that just because we sometimes make mistakes, we should wait until hundreds are blown to pieces before we act.

[gelda]

Too right AOG.

[keyplus90]

Anotheoldgit - I am sure you are always worried about someone leaving a bomb under your bed, or in your sleeping bag, afterall you spend all this time wondering about it.

[BilluSugger]

I seem to remember posting that I ' would believe it when I saw the evidence' - Says it all

[VHG]

There is a lot of difference between "not enough evidence to take you to court" and "totally innocent".

While these people MAY have been dabbling on the fringes of some dodgy business, it may not be worth spending all that time and money taking them to court (particularly if a guilty conviction was not likely due to lack of strong evidence).

Best just to get them out the country.

All we need to do now is get rid of a few hundred thousand more.