Dave Osler makes a comparison between the fantasist teenagers aquitted of the Audenshaw High School “murder plan”, and Samina Malik, the so-called lyrical terrorist. Samina Malik was convicted in 2007 of possessing terrorist material, and received a nine-month suspended sentence. She had written doggerel fantasies about decapitating infidels, and had in her possession a number of manuals including the al-Qa’eda Manual, the Terrorist’s Handbook, the Mujahideen Poisons Handbook and several military manuals. She was later cleared on appeal. Her appeal won on the grounds that the jury had become confused. After the appeal had been given, the CPS stated:
Ms Malik was not prosecuted for her poetry. She was prosecuted for possessing documents that could provide practical assistance to terrorists.
Another nugget of information that is worth considering in the comparison between the lyrical terrorist and the schoolboy fantasists is the relationship reported by the BBC between Samina Malik and a convicted terrorist [who incidently may be released soon]:
“Sis, I hope you get this email before anyone else. Is the checking still very harsh? Or have things cooled down a bit – Delete after read!
[…]
Malik replied at 4am detailing the security measures, including searching of shoes and checks on liquids. She signed off with a nom de guerre and the line, “A stranger awaiting martyrdom.”
Dave Osler says:
As I have said before, I unequivocally support police and the intelligence service efforts to infiltrate and disrupt terrorist efforts of all stripes; Islamist, white supremacist, dissident Irish Republican, solo whackjob, whatever. It is their duty to protect the public.
But they would better achieve that end if they stopped squandering their resources on stupid kids who undeniably deserve a serious bollocking, but not much more than that.
Perhaps Dave Osler might like to re-consider which group the lyrical terrorist fell into, because it isn’t immediately clear to me that she fits into the latter group.
[See also this old Harry’s Place post]
