Haroon Rashid Aswat - a British citizen who once helped establish a terrorist training camp in Oregon and later admitted in U.S. prison that he was involved in planning the 2005 London bombings and the 9/11 attacks - could be released from a secure psychiatric hospital in England within days.
Despite warnings from UK counterterrorism officials that he still poses a serious national security risk, he is being held under the UK Mental Health Act, which bars a formal terrorism risk assessment.
Aswat was extradited to the U.S. in 2014, pleaded guilty to providing material support to al-Qaeda, and received a 20-year sentence. He was returned to the U.K. in 2022 after time spent in psychiatric care, and has been held at Bethlem Royal Hospital since.
Critics argue British law’s loophole leaves the public vulnerable: Aswat will only be required to register his address and notify authorities of any travel - no surveillance, tagging, or ongoing supervision.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick slammed the decision, saying, “This despicable man was behind one of the most deadly attacks in modern history. He should never experience freedom again.”
Government officials insist that they are reviewing all legal options and working within the bounds of British law - but many experts are calling for reforms to the Mental Health Act to prevent the release of individuals deemed high-risk without full risk evaluation.
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