CPS decision in Abdel Hakim Belhaj rendition case faces legal challenge – The Guardian

‘The decision by the director of public prosecutions not to charge a former MI6 official for the 2004 abduction and rendition of a Libyan dissident, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, is to be challenged in court.’

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The Guardian, 1st November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK security agencies unlawfully collected data for 17 years, court rules – The Guardian

‘British security agencies have secretly and unlawfully collected massive volumes of confidential personal data, including financial information, on citizens for more than a decade, senior judges have ruled.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Man who rejected MI5 convicted of terror charge after semi-secret trial – The Guardian

‘A Somali-born man who spurned MI5 efforts to recruit him as an informant has been found guilty – following a partially secret trial – of preparing to join Islamic State fighters in Syria.’

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The Guardian, 13th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MI6 rebuked over handling of Lee Rigby killer’s Kenya mistreatment claims – The Guardian

Posted September 16th, 2016 in intelligence services, murder, news, reports, terrorism by tracey

‘The security services were guilty of “serious failings” in their response to allegations by one of Fusilier Lee Rigby’s killers, Michael Adebolajo, that he was mistreated by Kenyan counter-terrorism units, a watchdog has found.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2016

Source: www.guaridan.co.uk

Rendition victims challenge decision not to prosecute MI6 officer – The Guardian

‘Lawyers representing a Libyan husband and wife who were kidnapped and flown to one of Muammar Gaddafi’s prisons are seeking to overturn a decision that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute a former MI6 officer for his alleged role.’

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The Guardian, 11th September 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Review finds ‘proven’ or ‘distinct’ operational case for bulk surveillance powers – OUT-LAW.com

‘There is a “proven operational case” for most of the bulk surveillance powers the UK government wishes to provide UK intelligence agencies in the proposed new Investigatory Powers Bill, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd August 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Rights group challenges FoI refusal in Libyan rendition case – The Guardian

‘A human rights group has challenged the government’s refusal to disclose whether ministers or Downing Street officials were involved in a decision not to prosecute anyone over an espionage operation to kidnap two Libyan dissidents.’

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The Guardian, 21st August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Investigatory Powers Bill: Theresa May-led legislation could be killed by ruling from European Court, privacy campaigners claim – The Independent

‘A European Court of Justice ruling could deal a “serious blow” to Theresa May’s most prized piece of legislation, campaigners have said.’

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The Independent, 19th July 2016

Source; www.independent.co.uk

Snooper’s charter could endanger journalists and sources, peers warn – The Guardian

‘Peers have issued a serious warning that the government’s proposed “snooper’s charter” law could endanger journalists and their sources.’

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The Guardian, 12th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Chilcot inquiry must restore trust in government, says top lawyer – The Guardian

Posted July 4th, 2016 in armed forces, inquiries, intelligence services, Iraq, news, parliament, prosecutions, war by michael

‘One of Britain’s leading experts in international law has said that the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war must deliver a convincing account of the mistakes that led to the 2003 conflict to help restore public trust in politics.’

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The Guardian, 3rd July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

 

Battle to stop Jack Straw facing Libya rendition charges – The Guardian

‘The government has spent at least £600,000 of taxpayers’ money trying to prevent a civil case being brought against it by a husband and wife who allege that British intelligence was complicit in their detention, rendition and torture.’

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The Guardian, 26th June 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crown Prosecution Service statement: Operation Lydd – CPS News Brief

‘The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has considered a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police relating to one suspect in connection with allegations made concerning the movement and alleged ill treatment of Abdel Hakim Belhadj and his wife, Fatima Boudchar, and Sami Al Saadi and his wife and children from countries in South East Asia to Libya in 2004.’

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CPS News Brief, 9th June 2016

Source: http://blog.cps.gov.uk

CPS will not bring charges against MI6 over rendition of Libyan families – The Guardian

‘Prosecutors are set to announce that they are bringing no charges following a police investigation into MI6’s involvement in the kidnapping of two families who were “rendered” to the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s prisons, despite protests by the victims and their lawyers that the evidence against the agency is overwhelming.’

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The Guardian, 8th June 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Independent review of the operational case for bulk powers: terms of reference – Home Office

Posted June 7th, 2016 in bills, intelligence services, investigatory powers, news by tracey

‘Terms of reference for an independent review of the operational case for bulk powers.’

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Home Office, 7th June 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Bulk data collection not ‘inherently incompatible’ with right to privacy, say UK law makers – OUT-LAW.com

‘Giving the intelligence and security services a right to collect data about citizens in bulk is not “inherently incompatible” with people’s right to privacy, a UK parliamentary committee has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 2nd June 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Fingerprints and DNA of up to 800 terror suspects destroyed because of errors by spies and the police – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 27th, 2016 in DNA, fingerprints, intelligence services, news, police, terrorism by tracey

‘The fingerprint and DNA profiles of up to 800 terror suspects have been destroyed because of errors by spies and the police, it has emerged.’

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Daily Telegraph, 26th May 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Theresa May agrees to review of snooper’s charter powers – The Guardian

‘Labour has edged closer to supporting the “snooper’s charter” after the home secretary, Theresa May, agreed to order an independent review of proposed state surveillance powers.’

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The Guardian, 24th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Birmingham pub bombings: coroner receives ‘significant’ information about whether MI5 had prior knowledge – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 13th, 2016 in explosives, inquests, intelligence services, news, terrorism by tracey

‘The coroner who is considering re-opening the inquests into the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings has received “significant” new information about whether MI5 knew about the IRA attacks in advance.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th May 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK drone strikes ‘could leave all those involved facing murder charges’ – The Guardian

‘British drone pilots, intelligence officers and ministers could face murder charges if the government does not clarify its policies on targeted killing, a parliamentary committee has warned.’

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The Guardian, 10th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Murder conviction of Chinese MI6 informant referred to appeal court – The Guardian

Posted April 29th, 2016 in appeals, informers, intelligence services, murder, news by tracey

‘The murder conviction of a leading Chinese dissident and MI6 informant has been referred to the court of appeal after the Guardian uncovered evidence that was withheld by the police.’

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The Guardian, 28th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk