‘Terrifying’ prison attack to demand Abu Qatada’s release

Two inmates have been found guilty of threatening to kill a prison officer in a “well-planned operation” to demand the freedom of radical cleric Abu Qatada and for him to be flown to Afghanistan.

The jury had been told relations between some Muslim convicts and staff at the high-security Full Sutton prison in North Yorkshire had become “strained” in the days following the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

The Old Bailey heard Feroz Khan (below right), 26, told the seized officer Richard Thompson that he was being held because he was an ex-soldier and that he would be sacrificed if their demands were not met.

But Khan was mistaken that about the officer’s military background.

Fuad Awale (above, left), aged 26, held an improvised weapon to Mr Thompson’s throat during the six-hour ordeal and threatened to kill him. The court heard that Awale said to Mr Thompson: “I’ve killed two people. I’ll kill you.”

The jury cleared the two inmates and another of holding the officer hostage.

Terrifying attack

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, who heads the North East Counter-Terrorism Unit, said:

“The incident at HMP Full Sutton was terrifying for all involved and in particular the prison officer who found himself at the centre of this attack. All demonstrated great courage in the face of this threat and in support of each other.

“This attack was unprovoked and pre-planned. Thankfully, Khan and Awale were prevented from carrying out their threats in full and prison staff escaped with serious but not-life threatening injuries.

Khan and Awale are expected to receive sentences for their guilty verdicts on 7 April.

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