FIRST CONVICTIONS UNDER UK TERRORISM ACT, 2000
- PRESS NOTE
In a landmark judgement a court in Kent (UK) has
sentenced two Germany based members of the International Sikh
Youth Federation (ISYF), Avtar Singh Hundal and Kesar Singh Dhaliwal
to 30 months of imprisonment for being members of a proscribed
organization under the UK Terrorism Act, 2000.
While delivering the judgement, Judge Andrew Patience,
QC observed, "The evidence is overwhelming. To be a member
of a terrorist organization in this country is a grave offence."
Avtar Singh Hundal and Kesar Singh Dhaliwal were
detained on arrival in Dover by Ferry from Germany in January
2002. They were found carrying membership cards for the ISYF.
British police believe the men had arrived in the UK to raise
funds for the ISYF, which has been proscribed under the Terrorism
Act 2000. A third individual Paramjit Singh who had been arrested
along with them continues to be detained under the Anti-Terrorism
Act and charges have not yet been framed against him.
Dhaliwal’s wife and son live in the UK and he had
been a frequent visitor to the country. He was also reportedly
involved in illegal human trafficking.
The detainees did not receive any support from the
local Sikhs or groups linked with the proscribed organization
apparently with a view to disowning any relationship with such
organizations in Europe.
These first convictions under the UK Terrorism Act,
2000 are very significant and shall have far reaching consequences.
These would go a long way in deterring terrorist organizations
and their supporters from using UK as a base for planning; organizing
and funding terrorist acts against India.
India has been receiving excellent cooperation from
UK in its war against terrorism. UK has itself been at the forefront
of war against global terrorism. It was one of the first countries
to proscribe organizations involved in terrorism in India. Six
organization involved in terrorism in India have been proscribed
under UK Anti Terrorism Act, 2000. These are Harkat-Ul-Mujahideen
(HUM), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Babbar Khalsa
International (BKI), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF),
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Shri L.K. Advani, Deputy Prime Minster is writing
to Mr. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, UK appreciating the
action taken by UK Government against members of terrorist organizations.
