New York: British man, 41 year old Haroon Aswat has been jailed for 20 years after admitting to plot a set up of an extremist training camp in the US. From Batley, West Yorkshire, Aswat pleaded guilt to terrorism charges in New York in March, admitting to conspire with radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to set up a camp 15 years ago in Oregon. He had also pleaded guilty to a count of “providing material support to al-Qaeda”. District judge Katherine Forrest said Aswat would be returned to the UK after completing his sentence.
The court heard he spent six weeks in Seattle and Oregon in 2000 to set up a training camp for al-Qaeda recruits who wanted to fight in Afghanistan, as per orders from Abu Hamza. Speaking after the sentencing, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin said, “Aswat was arrested more than 10 years ago, and his sentence is the result of the tireless and persistent efforts of law enforcement to hold accountable all those who wish to harm the United States, whether at home or abroad, no matter how long it takes.” He was arrested by UK authorities at RAF Northolt in 2005, and later transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.
