British terror suspect deported to UK after serving sentence in Kenya
By Abdirahman Khalif |
Grant had been imprisoned in Kenya since 2011 after authorities discovered bomb-making materials in his apartment in Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya.
A British terror suspect, Jermaine Grant, 41, has been deported to the United Kingdom after serving a lengthy prison sentence in Kenya. Grant was taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police in London on Thursday following his arrival on a flight from Nairobi, Kenya.
Grant had been imprisoned in Kenya since 2011 after authorities discovered bomb-making materials in his apartment in Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya. It is believed that he shared the apartment with Samantha Lewthwaite, who is sought in connection with the 7/7 London bombings. Lewthwaite is also known by the nickname "White Widow."
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Kenyan authorities accused Grant of planning to target tourist hotels at the coast after his arrest in 2011. Although he was acquitted of conspiracy charges related to the alleged plot, he was found guilty of possessing bomb-making equipment and was sentenced to prison.
On Friday, the UK's Metropolitan Police confirmed that Grant had been detained under the Terrorism Act upon his return to London. In a statement, the police said, "We can confirm that on August 8, Met Police officers arrested a 41-year-old man wanted on recall to prison for breaching licence conditions tied to a prior conviction."
"He was apprehended at Heathrow Airport as he arrived from Kenya. The man's licence conditions had been revoked in August 2005 following the initial breach," added the statement.
In addition to his arrest for breaching licence conditions, Grant was also taken into custody on suspicion of being involved with Al-Shabaab, a militant group. He is currently in police custody.
Grant's connection with Lewthwaite has drawn significant attention. Lewthwaite, a Muslim convert who grew up in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has been on the run since 2011.
She is wanted by law enforcement in both Kenya and the UK. Lewthwaite married Germaine Lindsay, one of the suicide bombers involved in the 7/7 London bombings, which earned her the nickname "White Widow."
Lewthwaite is considered one of Kenya's most wanted individuals and is suspected of being linked to Al-Shabaab. She is believed to have been involved in multiple attacks carried out by the group.
Grant is thought to have been radicalised during his time in prison with Richard Reid, known as the "shoe bomber." Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoe on a transatlantic flight and is currently serving a life sentence in the United States.
The Metropolitan Police have not provided further details regarding the ongoing investigation or Grant's potential involvement with other groups or activities.
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