| Raid Police Apologise For 'hurt' |
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| Tuesday, 13 June 2006 | ||
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The police have apologised for the "hurt" they caused two brothers who were arrested on suspicion of terrorism involvement but freed without charge.
One brother, Mohammed Abdul Kahar, was shot in the police raid on his family's home in Forest Gate, east London. His younger brother, Abul Koyair, was also arrested in the raid involving 250 police, but neither were charged. Mr Kahar had earlier told how he thought the house was being robbed and that he would be killed by armed men. He said suing the police "is not even in our heads at the moment", adding he was more interested in an apology. "I want everyone that was involved, whoever gave the order for the raid to happen, for the shot to go off, everyone involved to apologise," he said. The apology was made by Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman of the Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations after the brothers said they wanted an apology more than compensation.
Mr Kahar said he only realised it was a police raid when he was allegedly dragged outside the house and saw police vans. Mr Hayman said: "I am aware that in mounting this operation we have caused disruption and inconvenience to many residents in Newham and more importantly those that reside at 46 and 48 Lansdowne Road. "I apologise for the hurt that we may have caused." Police searched the two properties but did not find the chemical device which "specific intelligence" had indicated was there. Mr Hayman said: "While we have not found evidence of what we were looking for at the house, the intelligence received did raise serious concerns for public safety. "On that basis we had no choice but to mount a robust operation, which required a fast armed response." His statement came hours after a press conference in which Mr Kahar, often emotional, described being shot and his subsequent interrogation by police. The 23-year-old said he was in great pain when he was hospitalised after the shooting. He said he "had no idea" who spoke to the police, prompting the raid. "From my point of view the person who did this they have terrorised me and my family," he said. 'Big bang' "I thought one by one they're going to kill us. At that time I thought I was going to die." He described the moment when he was shot. "We both had eye contact, he shot me straight away," he said. "I just saw an orange spark and a big bang. I flew into the wall, slipped down. There was blood coming down my chest. I knew I was shot. "It's ruined my life from the day, from the time they entered my house. It's turned my life upside down." Mr Koyair, 20, also gave his version of what happened after the shooting. "No-one said nothing, I thought it was like a dream at first, no-one was speaking, saying anything. "After about one, two minutes I realised that this is not a dream. I realised that my own brother got shot for no reason." Independent investigation Mr Hayman referred anyone with concerns about the raid to the Independent Police Complaints Commission which is investigating the shooting. Metropolitan Police Authority member Murad Qureshi said the apology was welcomed. "The press conference was very emotional understandably, and one of the demands the brothers made, and they made it very clearly, was that they would like to hear an apology and that that was their overriding concern, rather than compensation. "So I welcome the statement made by Andy Hayman."
Source: BBC NEWS:
Readers have left 12 comments.
Islamic Torch:
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I commend the two brothers for their true uniqueness as being ambassadors for the Muslim community of Britain. Their humbleness and calm attitude has shown them to be in high esteem amongst us all.
A similar incident was protrayed by a brother in Birmingham, who also had been a victim of Police labelling - but he didn't go to the media but instead spoke direct to the Police. We should all learn a leaf out of their page. What Allah wills, happens, what Allah doesn't will doesn't happen. I pray that my brother makes a full recovery from his injury and I pray that his family leave this experience in the past and move on with their lives. And I hope the Met police and OTHER Police forces learn valuable lessons, especially the West Midlands Police who have currently buried theri heads in the sand and feel that what goes on in their playground is well hidden. For if their secrets are leaked out the fiasco with the Met will be just a spot on a sheet of paper.
(1)
2006-06-14 03:36:48
jafrene:
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Whatever happened to Abdul kahar was not fair. Just because he has a beard, does that mean everyone in the uk who has a beard is going to attacked? A lot of people have been upset about this vital attack. Abdul Kahar should be given justice, no one deserves to be treated in such way.
(2)
2006-06-14 08:21:48
loveworm:
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It looked like from the interview as if the brothers where about to start bawling their eyes out! Maybe its the thought of all the compensation that's coming? Maybe they could buy the whole street... It must be a bit cramped in those 2 houses the Supermarket workers own.
(3)
2006-06-14 18:44:00
thehook:
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MashAllah, the brothers really reflected the true characters of what Muslim is.
They acted with dignity and in return, gave our communities dignity. Thank you for not asking for compensation but justice, apology and Andy's apologies from me as a Muslim is welcomed. I dont know, but maybe, the police might think twice now and reflect on what has happened.
(4)
2006-06-14 22:38:47
Abdullah:
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Inallilah wa inay ilayhi rajiun. May Allah punish the dhalimoon
(5)
2006-06-15 01:55:43
Ahmed:
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Salam alaikoum
Mashaa Allah these brothers acted with wisdom & ikhlas , yes our ummah is suffering , prosecuted & labbeled. I feel subhanah Allah, that Allah want us to come altogether as muslim & disregard our cultural bounduries. May Allah help give sabr to the two brothers & their family. if I can be of any help I'm here for you as another brother who loves Allah his Messenger & therefore you
(6)
2006-06-15 07:50:19
Iftikhar:
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Muslims were victim of Paki-bashing in the past and now they are victim of terrotism. The reason is that Muslims are living in a institutionalist racist society
(7)
2006-06-15 09:51:11
Jack:
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As the police have exhaustivly shown the brothers to have been innocent of concealing leathal weapons at the time of the search, then no one should object to a due apology and commensurate financial compensation.
Moreover, I am sure they have no truck with matrydom seekers and their global sympathizers. However,inasmuch as it is a sad matter of public fact that it is only some self declared adherants of Islam that have vowed mass deaths on civilians, that in future, the UK authorities will not allow the religous faith of the suspects to compromise the full pre-emptive action.
(8)
2006-06-15 14:32:24
Shazia:
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I listened to the brothers speak on the radio is was really sad i was almost in tears. But what surprised me more was the brothers response they were not talking full of hate and loathing like some far right people may have wished or dreamed of they showed what true muslims are! Well done to the brothers for portraying the religion of islam as peaceful and forgiving. We are all praying for you and your family.
(9)
2006-06-15 20:49:14
Africana:
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Loveworm i hope you get shot, terrorised and made to go through hell, what these brothers have gone through than lets see how much obnoxiousness you have. As usual you are talking about yourself & those like you
(10)
2006-06-16 08:28:20
Stephanie:
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As the police have exhaustively shown the brothers to have been innocent of concealing lethal weapons at the time of the search, then no one should object to a due apology and commensurate financial compensation. Just like the £holocost$ industry who are alive!!
Moreover, I am sure israelis who have a fanatical hatred with the civilised world and their global sympathizers, who want to exterminate the planet for greater israel. However, inasmuch as it is a sad matter of public fact that it is only some self declared adherents of zionist jews that have vowed mass deaths on civilians (as seen daily in the free world - murdering babies, raping children, false flag attacks, etc), that in future, the UK authorities will not allow the religious faith of the suspects to compromise the full pre-emptive action. Yes we should not only shut down where it worships, but reclaim the money that is being siphoned through the back door (Enron, homes for votes & many others). Then the spongers will start to get their own medicine. You only have to see these things with £250,000 houses given to them for never working.
(11)
2006-06-16 08:37:40
Umme amina:
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Bravery and intellect-Thanks to allah (swt) that the brothers survived.
(12)
2006-06-17 17:02:30
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