11 People Charged With Terrorism by British Police

Prosecutors announced Monday that 11 people have been charged with terrorism offenses, confirming that the plot involved the manufacture of explosives designed to detonate bombs in as many as 10 airliners bound for the United States. U.S. officials previously had said that the plot appeared to involve the mixing of liquid components to make bombs aboard the jetliners while they were in the air. Investigators found bomb-making materials, including electrical components and hydrogen peroxide, that the terrorists were planning to use.

The plot was announced to the public on August 10, the day that London’s Heathrow airport was shut down and tighter security was immediately imposed at airports around the world. Passengers were banned from carrying hand luggage and liquids onto planes, and numerous flights bound for London were forced to land elsewhere. Britain's air transportation network was plunged into chaos, with long lines jamming airport terminals and many airline flights canceled.

Police said that they found more than 8,000 electronic items, many used for data storage—compact discs, memory sticks, DVDs, more than 400 computers, and 200 cell phones. Officials also seized books on explosives, notes from willing terrorists, and maps of Afghanistan. Assistant Deputy Commissioner Peter Clarke, head of the Metropolitan’s Police anti-terrorism unit, told reporters, "We have also found a number of video recordings…sometimes referred to as martyrdom videos." Clarke pledged that investigators would continue to be diligent in pursuing leads. "This has all given us a clearer picture of the alleged plot," he said.

According to dates provided by investigators, the plot may have begun last year. In all, 8 people have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and preparing acts of terrorism. One 17-year old was charged with possession of articles that could be used to prepare a terrorist act, and two people were charged with failing to disclose information that could help prevent a terrorist act. One man, Mehran Hussein, is alleged to have had information that could have prevented a terrorist attack sometime between September 23, 2005, and August 10, 2006—the day that police announced they had broken up the plot.

Officials at Monday’s briefing did not mention links between the people who have been arrested and any particular group, and reporters were not given the opportunity to ask questions. Nine of those charged were from London, according to a list of suspects from the Bank of England whose assets had been frozen following the arrests. Two of the 11 arrested were from High Wycombe, northwest of London.

British investigators have until Wednesday to make a decision about another 11 people who are being detained without being formally charged. Police may decide to file charges, release them, or petition a judge to grant more time for questioning them. According to Clarke, the investigation is nowhere near being complete, and will continue for months to come. "All the data will be analyzed," Clarke said. "There will be thousands of forensic examinations and comparisons. Fingerprints, DNA, electronic data, handwriting comparisons, chemical analysis, and indeed the full range of forensic disciplines will be used."

The 11 charged are scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning. It is unlikely that bail will be granted, given the seriousness of the charges against them.