Zahid Iqbal: British terrorist who plotted bomb attack on Territorial Army base to be freed from prison
A terrorist who planned an al-Qaeda-inspired attack will be released from prison.
The Parole Board has approved the release of Zahid Iqbal, who discussed sending a toy car carrying a remote-controlled, homemade bomb under the gates of Territorial Army headquarters in Luton.
He and fellow conspirator Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed discussed making an IED using instructions in an Al Qaeda manual.
Iqbal was caught on secret recording telling Ahmed: “I was looking at Marsh Road, the transport centre, and I was passing by. There’s a pretty big gap at the bottom of their door.”
“If you had a little toy car, it would go under one of their vehicles or something.”
The couple was arrested after a series of raids on their home.
They were each sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2013 after pleading guilty to conduct in preparation for terrorist acts.
The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Wilkie, said the defendants must serve a minimum of 11 years and three months in prison.
At the end of January, the Parole Board ruled that Iqbal should be released three years before his maximum sentence.
A Parole Board spokesman said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Zahid Iqbal following an oral hearing.
“Parole Board decisions focus solely on what risk a prisoner poses to society if released and whether that risk is manageable in society.
“A panel will carefully consider a wide range of evidence, including details of the original crime and any evidence of a change in behaviour, as well as investigating the harm caused and the impact of the crime on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports before the oral hearing.
“At the hearing, testimonies of witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, personal statements of the victim as well as officers who supervise the offender in prison may be given.
“Extended questioning of detainees and witnesses is standard in hearings that often last a day or longer.
“Parole reviews are conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has written to Justice Secretary David Lammy asking him to veto the Parole Board’s decision.
“We all know the threat posed by Islamist extremism in this country,” Mr. Philp said.
“Therefore, the Government should veto the decision to release Zahid Iqbal and keep him behind bars.”
