Three Kurdish terror suspects accused of targeting politicians across Europe are set to remain in the UK because they might be mistreated in Italian jail.
Awat Wahab Hamasalih, 34, Bakr Hamad, 39, and Zana Rahim, 32, were arrested as part of a Europe-wide probe into the ‘dangerous and active’ jihadist network, Rawti-Shax, last November.
The terror cell planned to join ISIS in overthrowing the Iraqi Kurdistan government and establish a caliphate, Italian authorities said.
Through their online headquarters on the ‘dark web’, the extremists were said to be plotting terror attacks.
They are also believed to have offered their followers cash rewards for carrying them out, and sent several of them to training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Notorious hate preacher Mullah Krekar, 60, controlled Rawti-Shax from behind bars in Norway.
His son-in-law Rahim, dubbed a ‘senior leader’ who is in charge of the group’s propaganda, visited him in prison after he was arrested in 2012.
Hamad was said to be the computer expert leading ‘radicalisation for the jihad in Kurdistan’ while Hamasalih travelled through Europe recruiting, seeking funds, and spreading ‘jihadi values’.
The trio aimed to kidnap dignitaries, including a British ambassador, to barter for Krekar’s release, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Senior District Judge Howard Riddle denied the extradition request from Italian prosecutors after hearing that the men could be tortured or killed in an Italian prison.
Their lawyers also claimed an extradition would be in breach of international laws against ‘refoulment’, which prevents the illegal returning of refugees.
They also referred to Article Two [right to life] and Article Three [prohibition of torture] of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that they are appealing the ruling yesterday.
Julian Knowles QC, for the Italian judicial authorities, previously said: ‘The organisation aimed to establish a caliphate in Iraqi Kurdistan and also to establish cells in Europe to share and disseminate jihadi material and to participate in Jihad in Iraq and Syria together with IS and al-Nusra.
‘The objectives of the organisation were established, as were the existence of a military training camp which was run by a group called the Kurdistan Battalion, which operated between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
‘It is described as a transnational, radical and fundamental group.
‘Their purpose is international terrorism, operating on the internet and active in Europe and the Middle East in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Finland, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Norway and in the Middle East, Iraq, Iran and Syria.
‘The structure of the organisation was designed to operate in secret. It drew up plans to carry out violent actions against Western targets to intimidate the population and to put pressure on public powers and international organisations.’
Outlining Rahim’s role in the group, Mr Knowles said: ‘He was seen as a senior leader in public and in secret, dictating the actions and management of Rawti Shax.
‘He was head of press, which involved the publication and dissemination of the fundamentalist thoughts of Mullah Krekar.
‘As head, he oversaw management that included financial relationships, meeting with many financiers.’
Mr Knowles told the court Rahim was related to Mulla Krekar, having married his daughter, but this wasn’t his only link.
He said: ‘He is not just one of the family, he has an active involvement. He was one of the people to meet Mullah Krekar in prison, where they discussed the group’s security, as well as their financial situations.’
He said they wanted to ‘promote jihadi values in Syria, as well as the rise of that project in Kurdistan.
‘They may have been Italian centred, but the attacks were to take place across Europe, including here in England.’
Hamad is alleged to be the computer expert of the group, using his expertise to engage in ‘proselytising and radicalisation for the jihad in Kurdistan’ on Rawti Shax’s secret website.
He also helped run the financial side of the organisation, actively trying to raise funds.
Rawti Shax aimed to establish a Caliphate in Iraqi-Kurdistan and also to establish cells in Europe to share and disseminate jihadi material, and to participate in jihad in Iraq and Syria together with IS and Al-Nusra.
Hamad also asked young Muslims if they were willing to engage in martyrdom, the court was told.
Hamad, Hamasalih, and Rahim were detained by officers from the North East and West Midlands counter terrorism units on European arrest warrants and were fighting extradition to Italy where they would have faced charges of conspiring to commit an act of international terrorism and subverting democracy.
Nine other suspects have been detained in Norway and Italy and Italian prosecutors have indicated that they are trial-ready.
Hamasalih, of Finchley Road, Birmingham, Hamad, of All Saints Street, Hull, Rahim, of Curzon Street, Derby, would have faced charges of conspiring to commit an act of international terrorism and subverting democracy if they were returned to Italy….
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