Terror Suspect Absconds While Being Monitored

Terror suspect absconds while being monitored


A suspected terrorist has gone missing while being monitored by the authorities.








Ibrahim Magag, 28, who has absconded while being held on a Terrorism Prevention and InvestigationMeasures notice Photo: INS





By Rosa Silverman

7:02PM GMT 31 Dec 2012




Ibrahim Magag absconded on Boxing Day after failing to show up at the address where he must spend the night under the conditions of his Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (Tpims) notice.


The 28-year-old is the first person to go missing while subject to a Tpims notice, a monitoring system that replaced control orders.


The notice was imposed on him in court to prevent him from fundraising and travelling overseas but it is now feared the Somali could have tried to flee the country.


Magag is described as a 6ft 2in black man of slim to medium build. He has a beard, but detectives warned he may try to change his appearance.


He was last seen in the Camden area of north London at 5.20pm on December 26 wearing a khaki robe, a black Berghaus windcheater and navy Converse trainers.



Related Articles

• 
  Terrorism curbs are weaker now, warns watchdog
  26 Mar 2012
  
• 
  Terror suspect argues security measures are stopping him finding a wife
  20 Jun 2012
  
• 
  Terror suspect with a lonely heart 'only has himself to blame'
  06 Jul 2012
  

The suspect’s identity had not previously been revealed as those subject to a Tpims notice are normally permitted to retain their anonymity.

But on the advice of police, Theresa May, the Home Secretary, yesterday applied to the High Court for his anonymity to be lifted to help with the investigation.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The Counter Terrorism Command immediately launched inquiries to trace the man and these continue. Public safety remains our priority.

"At the request of the police an anonymity order imposed by a court was lifted today to allow a public appeal.

"Anyone who sees this man or knows of his whereabouts should not approach him, but call 999 immediately.”

Police have alerted borders agencies to Magag’s disappearance in case he tries to leave the country and travel to his native Somalia or elsewhere.

But Magag was not considered “at this time” to represent a direct threat to the British public, the Met spokesman said.

James Brokenshire, the security minister, said: "National security is the Government's top priority and the police are doing everything in their power to apprehend this man as quickly as possible.

"The Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure in this case was intended to prevent fundraising and overseas travel. We do not believe his disappearance is linked to any terrorism planning in the UK."

As of November 30 last year, 10 people were subject to Tpims, which subject suspects to a range of restrictions and monitoring, including curfews.

Introduced by the Coalition in 2011, they allow greater freedom of movement than control orders but are likewise used to restrict the movements of suspected terrorists where there is insufficient evidence to prosecute.

They were criticised last year by the terrorism watchdog, David Anderson QC, who warned that the two-year time limit on the measures meant extremists may just wait it out before acting.

Others have voiced fears that Tpims provide less protection to the public. But they are thought to cost millions of pounds more because of the shorter curfews involved.

During the six years that the control order system was in place, seven suspects absconded, six of whom were never found.

Anyone with information about Magag is asked to contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

=========================

Another Government Dept can't do it's job, unbeleiveable!!!!