Five Students Win Terror Appeal

'This nightmare is over. It's important to note that this sort of thing could happen to anybody - it's like a thought crime.' Father of one of the students.

Five students jailed for downloading extremist material had their convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal. Lord Chief Justice Philips commented that there was no proof the students, intended to to commit an act of terrorism. He said that the prosecution had used Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000 'for a purpose for which it was not intended'.

Michel Massih QC, led Danielle Cooper instructed by Nick Robinshaw, Amosu Robinshaw, represented Awaab Iqbal.

Joel Bennathan QC instructed by Imran Khan, Imran Khan and Partners represented Aitzaz Zafar.

In the separate but related proceedings of R v K The Times 18 February 2008, the Court of Appeal gave a strong judgment as to the way section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 should be interpreted. In effect, the prosecution will now be required to prove a terrorist intent against a person charged with section 58 whereas that was not previously the case. K was represented by Tim Moloney and it is likely that the decision will lead to appeals by persons previously convicted under section 58."

BBC story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7242724.stm

The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/14/uksecurity.ukcrime

The Times http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article3365890.ece

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