London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Terrorist who conspired to kill hundreds of Londoners in a Tube bombing is ‘released’ from prison.
Failed terrorist Manfo Asiedu, a fundamental figure in the failed 2005 London bomb scheme, has been deported to Ghana after fitting just 16 years of his 33-year sentence. Asiedu, 53, was part of a company that attempted to detonate explosives on London’s transport network on July 21, 2005, just two weeks after the deadly 7/7 episodes.
What role did Asiedu play in the failed 2005 London bomb plot?
The plot failed due to miscalculations in bomb components. Asiedu was convicted in 2007 for his role in the endeavoured attack. During his trial, Asiedu admitted to buying materials but claimed the plot was a demonstration against the Iraq war and not intended to cause damage. He said he had abandoned the explosives in a West London park. Mr Asiedu was freed from prison and deported to Ghana earlier this year, according to The Sun.
Tory MP Mark Francois stated: “Given the number murdered on 7/7, it’s obscene that anyone involved in a similar plot should be released early, whether subsequently deported or not.
“This is a truly awful decision.”
Why did Manfo Asiedu turn against fellow defendants during the trial?
During his trial he turned against fellow defendants, rubbishing their justification that the suicide mission was just a fraud. Asiedu tried to smear himself as an innocent victim unwittingly caught up in their murderous schemes and claimed he thought the devices were fake up until the night before the raid.
He also declared to be called Sumailia Abubakhari and was born to a Muslim father, who possesses a pharmacy and construction business, and a Christian businesswoman mother.
Four other men, Muktar Said Ibrahim, Ramzi Mohammed, Yassin Omar and Hussain Osman, were discovered guilty and were told they will conform a minimum of 40 years in prison.
Asiedu is considered to have agreed to the deportation under the Facilitated Returns Scheme, according to reports. It was noted in 2007 that he
“may serve only half the term his accomplices were given”.
