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Jail protest over terror raid 12 | Jail protest over terror raid 12 |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Supporters of 12 men arrested in anti-terror raids in the North West last month have demonstrated outside the jail where they are being held. | |
At a meeting before the protest at Manchester Prison, campaigners called for an end to what they said was the criminalisation of Muslims. | At a meeting before the protest at Manchester Prison, campaigners called for an end to what they said was the criminalisation of Muslims. |
The 12 men were later released without charge - but the Home Office wants to deport 11 to Pakistan. | The 12 men were later released without charge - but the Home Office wants to deport 11 to Pakistan. |
About 20 people protested "peacefully" outside the jail police said. | |
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "There was a small protest involving 20 people on behalf of those arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences during Easter. | |
"It was a peaceful demonstration and no arrests were made." | |
It broke up at about 1900 BST. | |
Student visas | Student visas |
The force's chief constable Peter Fahy has defended the arrests, on 8 April, saying he was not "embarrassed" that they took place. | |
Of the 12 men arrested in the raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Clitheroe in Lancashire, 11 were Pakistani nationals, with 10 holding student visas. One was from Britain. | |
Tariq Mehmood, one of the organisers of the demonstration, said: "We need to get them out of jail, have their visas returned, they should not be in jail. | Tariq Mehmood, one of the organisers of the demonstration, said: "We need to get them out of jail, have their visas returned, they should not be in jail. |
We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security Home Office spokeswoman | We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security Home Office spokeswoman |
"What sort of society do you want to be in that jails people without evidence? This issue is not just for Muslims, it affects all people." | "What sort of society do you want to be in that jails people without evidence? This issue is not just for Muslims, it affects all people." |
Police faced criticism after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to justify bringing any charges against the men. | Police faced criticism after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to justify bringing any charges against the men. |
Lord Carlile of Berriew QC is looking at the case as part of his ongoing role as independent reviewer of terrorism laws. | Lord Carlile of Berriew QC is looking at the case as part of his ongoing role as independent reviewer of terrorism laws. |
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security. | A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security. |
"The government's highest priority is to protect public safety. Where a foreign national poses a threat to this country we will seek to exclude or to deport, where this is appropriate. | "The government's highest priority is to protect public safety. Where a foreign national poses a threat to this country we will seek to exclude or to deport, where this is appropriate. |
"We do not comment on individual cases." | "We do not comment on individual cases." |
The meeting before the protest took place at the Pakistani Community Centre on Stockport Road, Longsight, on Saturday afternoon, with another planned to take place on Tuesday at the Saffron Restaurant in Cheetham Hill. |