Met chief calls for new law to prosecute jihadis returning from war zones
a section of our society”. He welcomed the Bill’s attempt to prevent this but said the Government should also consider legislation on overseas conflicts.
“The Australians have a ‘ designated area’ offence for people who wish to travel to war zones and fight,” he told the MPs.
He admitted that because such legislation could not be retrospective, it would be too late to use against those who had already gone to Syria.
But he added: “If we were dealing with a similar situation in the future, stopping people from going to fight or enabling the prosecution of people fighting in theatre when they return would have great utility to us.
“We would rather have very clear legislation … that prohibits the travel, and that people were then responsible for doing whatever it is they do and … we were able to prosecute.” Mr Basu’s comments were prompted by concern that under current laws those fighting overseas can be prosecuted only if proof can be gathered in the conflict zone, which is difficult, or if evidence of their preparations can be found on items they have left behind before they go.
Some suspects have been charged using material brought back into the country on their return or because of online postings.
But Mr Basu told MPs that “we still have a substantial number of people who could return against whom we do not have prosecutable case”. About 850 British residents are known to have gone to Syria or Iraq. Around half have returned, and many such as IS executioner Muhammed Emwazi, from London, have been killed.
Others, including Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, are in custody overseas. But dozens more are thought to be at liberty, and police and MI5 are unsure whether they will seek to return, continue fighting, or move to other parts of the world.