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Convicted terrorist named as suspect in attack on prison officer Attack on prison officer by two inmates treated as terrorist incident, police say
(about 1 hour later)
Brusthom Ziamani alleged to be one of two inmates involved in assault at HMP Whitemoor Prisoners in fake suicide belts armed with improvised blades accused of attacking officer at HMP Whitemoor
A convicted terrorist has been named as one of two inmates alleged to have carried out a “cowardly and vicious” attack on prison staff at a maximum security jail. An attack on a prison officer at a maximum security jail by two inmates is being treated as terrorism, the Metropolitan Police said.
Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit is investigating after two prisoners wearing fake suicide belts and armed with improvised bladed weapons attacked an officer from behind on Thursday. Four other prison staff were injured in the incident at HMP Whitemoor, in Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.
One of the suspects at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire has been named in reports as Brusthom Ziamani, 24, a convicted terrorist. The second is said to be a Muslim convert jailed for a violent offence. Prisoners wearing fake suicide belts and armed with improvised bladed weapons attacked an officer from behind in a “cowardly and vicious” attack now under investigation by the Met’s counter-terrorism unit.
Convicted terrorist Brusthom Ziamani, 24, had earlier been named as one of the two men alleged to have been involved. The second man is said to be a Muslim convert jailed for a violent offence.
A Met statement said: “At approximately 9.10am, on 9 January, two prisoners are believed to have approached and attacked a prison officer. The prison officer received injuries to his head and neck and it is believed the attackers used improvised bladed weapons during the assault.
“The two prisoners were subsequently detained by other prison staff, some of whom also suffered injuries.
“Both attackers were also wearing belts with various items crudely attached.
“Due to the circumstances relating to this incident, it was deemed appropriate for the investigation to be carried out by officers from the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command.”
The statement said that the incident was dealt with quickly and that there was no continuing threat.
Ziamani, a follower of the radical preacher Anjem Choudary, was found guilty of planning a terrorist attack in 2015 over a plot to behead a British soldier.Ziamani, a follower of the radical preacher Anjem Choudary, was found guilty of planning a terrorist attack in 2015 over a plot to behead a British soldier.
The prison officer who was attacked was left with stab and slash wounds to the head, chest and face. Four others received stab injuries as they stepped in to help.The prison officer who was attacked was left with stab and slash wounds to the head, chest and face. Four others received stab injuries as they stepped in to help.
The general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, Steve Gillan, said: “I have received a full briefing on this cowardly and vicious attack and there is no doubt in my mind that but for the bravery of staff then this morning we could have been talking about a death of a prison officer at Whitemoor prison.”The general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, Steve Gillan, said: “I have received a full briefing on this cowardly and vicious attack and there is no doubt in my mind that but for the bravery of staff then this morning we could have been talking about a death of a prison officer at Whitemoor prison.”
A Prison Service spokesman said the incident was “quickly resolved by brave staff”. “We do not tolerate assaults on our hard-working officers and will push for the strongest possible punishment.”A Prison Service spokesman said the incident was “quickly resolved by brave staff”. “We do not tolerate assaults on our hard-working officers and will push for the strongest possible punishment.”
The Metropolitan police said it was appropriate for counter-terrorism officers to carry out the investigation. “However, we must stress that at this early stage of the investigation we are keeping an open mind with regards to any motives,” a spokesman said. “Inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.”The Metropolitan police said it was appropriate for counter-terrorism officers to carry out the investigation. “However, we must stress that at this early stage of the investigation we are keeping an open mind with regards to any motives,” a spokesman said. “Inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.”
Ziamani was 19 when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 22 years in prison, reduced to 19 on appeal, after he was arrested while carrying a 12in (30.5cm) knife and a hammer in a rucksack. The court was told that he had researched the location of army cadet bases in south-east London.Ziamani was 19 when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 22 years in prison, reduced to 19 on appeal, after he was arrested while carrying a 12in (30.5cm) knife and a hammer in a rucksack. The court was told that he had researched the location of army cadet bases in south-east London.
He also showed his ex-girlfriend weapons, described Fusilier Lee Rigby’s killer Michael Adebolajo as a legend and told her he would kill soldiers.He also showed his ex-girlfriend weapons, described Fusilier Lee Rigby’s killer Michael Adebolajo as a legend and told her he would kill soldiers.