A British High Court judge is being criticized after telling convicted al-Qaeda member Haroon Aswat “all the best” as the terrorist prepares to be released to his family in Yorkshire.
Mr Justice Robert Jay made the remarks during an April 1 hearing in London, where authorities confirmed that Aswat, 50, had completed his sentence and would not face electronic monitoring due to rules limiting oversight of psychiatric patients. Aswat is expected to leave Bethlem Royal Hospital and return to Batley, West Yorkshire, reports The Sun, which obtained the transcripts of the hearing.
Aswat, who trained in al-Qaeda camps and has previously admitted involvement in the 2005 London bombings and the 9/11 attacks, responded “I’m good” when asked about his condition in court. Judge Jay then added: “I have to wish you all the best and say to you that the way forward is to keep on your medication, listen to the advice you are going to get, and keep out of the sort of things you were doing.”
In response, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded that the judge be removed, saying: “Aswat should be in a high-security jail until he dies and Mr Justice Jay should be sacked.” Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called the judge’s comments “an insult” to the 52 people killed in the 7/7 bombings.
Police had urged tighter controls, citing ongoing threats. Chief Supt Gareth Rees of the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism command said Aswat had “spoken positively of his time with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and expressed aspirations to reconnect with them,” adding that he remained a risk to national security.
Court records show Aswat was once close to Abu Hamza, the Finsbury Park preacher, and was linked to phone calls with the London suicide bombers. He was arrested in Zambia weeks after the attacks, carrying extremist material, and fought extradition for years before pleading guilty to terrorism charges in the United States in 2015.
Despite concerns raised by US and British officials, Aswat’s 20-year sentence was reduced because of time spent in psychiatric care. A government spokesperson insisted he will remain under “robust monitoring for 30 years,” though critics argue existing loopholes prevent adequate oversight.
Legal analysts have also questioned the judge’s tone. One senior barrister told The Sun: “Why is the judge addressing him like a victim? It’s nauseating.”
Mr Justice Robert Jay made the remarks during an April 1 hearing in London, where authorities confirmed that Aswat, 50, had completed his sentence and would not face electronic monitoring due to rules limiting oversight of psychiatric patients. Aswat is expected to leave Bethlem Royal Hospital and return to Batley, West Yorkshire, reports The Sun, which obtained the transcripts of the hearing.
Aswat, who trained in al-Qaeda camps and has previously admitted involvement in the 2005 London bombings and the 9/11 attacks, responded “I’m good” when asked about his condition in court. Judge Jay then added: “I have to wish you all the best and say to you that the way forward is to keep on your medication, listen to the advice you are going to get, and keep out of the sort of things you were doing.”
In response, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded that the judge be removed, saying: “Aswat should be in a high-security jail until he dies and Mr Justice Jay should be sacked.” Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called the judge’s comments “an insult” to the 52 people killed in the 7/7 bombings.
Police had urged tighter controls, citing ongoing threats. Chief Supt Gareth Rees of the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism command said Aswat had “spoken positively of his time with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and expressed aspirations to reconnect with them,” adding that he remained a risk to national security.
Court records show Aswat was once close to Abu Hamza, the Finsbury Park preacher, and was linked to phone calls with the London suicide bombers. He was arrested in Zambia weeks after the attacks, carrying extremist material, and fought extradition for years before pleading guilty to terrorism charges in the United States in 2015.
Despite concerns raised by US and British officials, Aswat’s 20-year sentence was reduced because of time spent in psychiatric care. A government spokesperson insisted he will remain under “robust monitoring for 30 years,” though critics argue existing loopholes prevent adequate oversight.
Legal analysts have also questioned the judge’s tone. One senior barrister told The Sun: “Why is the judge addressing him like a victim? It’s nauseating.”
