Sunderland shopkeeper's prison release blocked as emergency law for terrorist offenders is passed

Emergency legislation to block the automatic early release of people convicted of terror offences became law on Wednesday, February 26 after receiving royal assent.

Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans announced in the Commons that the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill has now become an Act after being passed earlier this month by MPs.

The legislation will affect around 50 prisoners, with Sunderland shopkeeper Mohammed Zahir Khan due for release on Friday, February 28.

Khan was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court in May 2018 for posting messages and material that was supportive of IS on social media.

Originally from Birmingham, Khan moved to Wearside to escape the “gang members and crime” of his previous lifestyle.

The new legislation will ensure terrorist offenders serve two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered eligible for release.

Before being freed, they would need to be reviewed by a panel of specialist judges and psychiatrists at the Parole Board.

The Act was passed just two days before Khan’s automatic release date.

The change follows the Streatham terror attack earlier this month in which Sudesh Amman stabbed two bystanders with a knife he had grabbed from a shop.

The 20-year-old had been jailed in December 2018 for possessing and distributing terrorist documents but had been freed midway through his sentence less than a fortnight before the attack.

The law will apply to offenders sentenced for crimes such as training for terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, and the dissemination of terrorist publications.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "No terrorist should be released early only to kill and maim on our streets. Protecting the public is Government's first duty and our message is clear - enough is enough.

"From today, terrorist offenders will only be released before the end of their sentence if the independent Parole Board is satisfied they no longer pose a threat, and they will face the strictest possible conditions and monitoring upon release."

In addition, all terrorist offenders will be subject to robust safeguards upon release, which could include notification requirements, restrictions on travel and communications, and imposed curfews.