Reports: UK prisons alerted after hostage taking
Email circulated to high-security prisons warns hostage-taking attack in Full Sutton prison linked to 'radical Islamist extremism'
British newspapers say that UK prisons are on the alert after a hostage-taking attack blamed on extremist Muslim inmates came days after an off-duty soldier was hacked to death on a London street.
An email circulated to high-security prisons warned that Sunday's attack at Full Sutton prison in the northern England region of Yorkshire was linked to "radical Islamist extremism" and warned of an increased risk of attacks at other institutions.
Related stories:
- Expert: Islam taking over Europe
- London: 2 men decapitate soldier in broad daylight
- French soldier stabbed in throat outside Paris
Britain's Ministry of Justice on Wednesday declined to comment on the email, which was quoted in newspapers including The Yorkshire Post and The Times.
The knife attack in London refocused public attention on the threat of al-Qaeda-inspired terrorism. One suspect is in custody, while another remains hospitalized.
London killer (Photo: Reuters)
Also Wednesday, British defense minister said that up to 90 Afghan nationals are being detained in a holding facility at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan, but denies that the men are being held illegally.
Lawyers acting on behalf of eight detainees say their clients have been held for between eight and 14 months in breach of international law and have been denied access to counsel.
Second killer after murder
British forces in Afghanistan are allowed to detain suspects for 96 hours but can hold them longer in "exceptional circumstances."
Defense Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC on Wednesday that the government is working toward the swift and safe transfer of the detainees.
He also described claims by Public Interest Lawyers that the facility at Camp Bastion has been kept secret as "patently ridiculous."
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
