TERROR 'LINKS' TO VILE CLERIC
Daily Star - September 12, 2004

by NEIL CHANDLER

SICK Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed's group is suspected of being a recruiter for Chechen terrorists, it was claimed last night.

The firebrand cleric sparked outrage after the Beslan school massacre by saying a similar attack in the UK would be "justified".

Today the Daily Star Sunday can reveal his al-Muhajiroun group is suspected of being more closely linked with Chechen terrorists than anyone has thought.

Counter-terrorism expert Neil Doyle said: "One US analyst told me recently that the group is suspected of being a major supplier of foreign recruits to terrorist groups in Chechnya."

Al-Muhajiroun has also called on Muslims to go to Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia.

It used a Pakistanbased website to call on British Muslims to fight British soldiers in Iraq.

It said: "Muslims are fighting a battle. A battle which we are seeing the worse of."

Omar Bakri has also called the September 11 attacks on the US a "magnificent operation" and dubbed the killers "the magnificent 19".

He also said the October 2002 Moscow theatre siege which saw 170 killed after troops stormed the building was "justified".

He approved the killing of hostages by terrorists, saying: "The Islamic movement has the right to sacrifice whoever it sees fit."

His group is active in 30 UK cities and runs 70 Islamic "study circles".

The Syrian-born cleric lives off state benefits and has UK citizenship .

Mainstream Muslims are horrified at the Sheikh's antics.

Al-Mahajiroun was blamed by moderates after at least 1,000 young British Muslims went to fight in Afghanistan, where many of them were killed.

Omar Bakri is being investigated by police after an MP complained about his statements on the Beslan slaughter.
 

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 8

Copyright 2004 Express Newspapers
Posted for Fair Use only.