Iran Embassy terrorist goes free.. to live in UK on benefits

THE only terrorist to survive the Iranian Embassy siege will be freed from jail this month — and is expected to stay in Britain on benefits.

Fowzi Nejad, 51 — captured after SAS troopers famously stormed the building in 1980 — will not be sent back to Iran because of fears over his safety.

Last night a Whitehall source confirmed Nejad had been granted parole — and admitted: “It is difficult to see how there won’t be a cost to the public purse.”
Fury erupted over the decision yesterday. Mark Wallace, campaign director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “It is bad enough this man has been a burden on law-abiding British citizens for almost three decades.
“But it is a kick in the teeth for British people to have to pay his way for the foreseeable future.”

Take no prisoners ... one of the terrorists' hostages escapes as the SAS storm London embassy
Former docker Nejad was one of six terrorists who seized 26 hostages and took over the building in Kensington, central London, for six days in May 1980.
Two were murdered by the gang — demanding independence for a petrol-rich area in southern Iran.

The SAS operation to end the siege was seen by millions on live TV. Nejad survived by blending in with hostages — until a real hostage pointed him out.
He was convicted of conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, false imprisonment and possessing a firearm.
Hero cop Trevor Lock, who was taken hostage while guarding the embassy, has branded the decision to free Nejad “madness”.

He suggested sending him to Iraq, where he and his gang were trained. Mr Lock said: “This guy was as bad as the rest of them. He was the only one of them I didn’t connect with at all.
“Once he even shot over the head of the charge d’affairs for amusement.
“He commits a major crime, goes to prison, comes out and is allowed to stay in the country where he committed it — madness.”
Last night a Home Office spokesman said: “We do not give refugee status to convicted terrorists.”

But he said no one could be deported without assurances that they would not face “certain death”.
It is understood Nejad will be given leave to remain for six months — during which time he could claim benefits such as income support.
Then he is likely to get special immigration status under new laws. That would mean he would be banned from working or getting “mainstream benefits”.

But the Whitehall source said: “Clearly he wouldn’t be left destitute on the streets. The taxpayer would continue to pick up a tab.”