Terrorist linked to 7/7 bombings to be freed from jail despite remaining 'risk' (2025)

A High Court judge has ruled that Haroon Aswat can be released from a secure hospital (Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA)

British terrorist Haroon Aswat is set to be released from prison despite remaining a “risk to national security”. Aswat, who is linked to the 7/7 bombings, was jailed for 20 years for attempting to form an extremist training camp. Although police concluded that he continues to be a security risk, a High Court judge ruled that he can be freed from a secure hospital after undergoing treatment for mental ill-health.

The terrorist could soon be reunited with his family in Batley, West Yorkshire after Mr Justice Jay says his release from detention under the Mental Health Act was expected in the “relatively near future”. Aswat was jailed for attempting to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon, US, under the direction of hate preacher Abu Hamza in 1999. He was then deported to the UK and held under a US arrest warrant.

The London bombings left 52 people dead and injured more than 800 (Image: Getty)

READ MORE: Albanian 'terrorist' who plotted bombing pleads for UK stay over safety fears

Aswat also reportedly trained at a camp in Afghanistan in 2001 before staying at an al-Qaeda safe house where he met two 7/7 bombers. Just hours before the London tragedy, 20 calls were traced to a phone linked to Aswat made by the bombers.

The horrific attacks in the capital left 52 people dead and injured more than 800.

Due to extradition and appeal hearings, Aswat was sentenced nearly a decade later after being extradited to the US in 2014. In March 2015, Aswat pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy and providing material support to al-Qaeda. He was later sentenced to 20 years for supporting a foreign terrorist organisation.

However, this was reduced to seven years due to his time being detained at Broadmoor Hospital. Upon his release in the US in 2022, he admitted: “I am a terrorist” to a visiting psychiatrist.

Aswat was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder which can include outbursts of unpredictable and aggressive behaviour. He returned to the UK in 2022 where he was detained at Bethlem Royal Hospital under the Mental Health Act.

READ MORE:
Two men arrested in UK on suspicion of being Hezbollah members
'Hamas out — Gazans sick of terrorist rule rise up against Iran's proxy'
ISIS terror warning as US intelligence reveals most dangerous factions

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Jay ruled: “The defendant’s treatment has been effective. His release from detention is expected in the relatively near future. I understand he will return to his family in Yorkshire.”

The Conservatives said this case exposes a legislative loophole which prevents a full risk assessment allowing for him to be detained for longer.

Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, told The Telegraph: “It is totally unacceptable that full risk assessments cannot be carried out. I call on the Government to urgently change the law. Those who pose a danger to the public should be taken off our streets. That’s non-negotiable.”