Andrew Ibrahim, the Police and the Muslim Community in Bristol

The Muslim communities in Bristol have appeared in a positive light in recent weeks as they have been dragged into the media spotlight in connection with the arrest and subsequent charge of Westbury on Trym resident Andrew Ibrahim.

Immediately distancing themselves from the individual's alleged actions, it also emerged that the initial police tip off may have come from one or more concerned Muslim residents.

Today's statement from the Council of Bristol Mosques is very supportive of the police, unequivocal in its denouncing of terrorism and sympathetic to Westbury on Trym residents whose lives have been disrupted by recent events. You can watch the statement being read by CBM representative Zaheer SHABIR here.

Bristol's mosques have never had a reputation for fanaticism, a fact which all Bristolians can be pleased about. Bristol's Mosques are located in:

• St Mark's Road, Easton
• Roman Road, Easton
• Green Street, Totterdown
• Lower Cheltenham Place, Montpelier
• 14 Alfred Place, Kingsdown
• Stapleton Road, Eastville
  

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Andrew Ibrahim Charged

Details of the charges laid against Andrew Ibrahim, also known as Isa Ibrahim, are as follows:

1) Possession of an Explosive Substance with Intent, contrary to section 3 (1)(b) of Explosive Substances Act 1883

Andrew Philip Michael IBRAHIM/Isa IBRAHIM between the 1st day of January 2008 and the 18th day of April 2008 unlawfully or maliciously made or had in his possession or under his control an explosive substance namely Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine with intent by means thereof to endanger life or cause serious injury to property in the United Kingdom.

2) Engaging in Conduct with the Intention to Commit Acts of Terrorism contrary to section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006

Andrew Philip Michael IBRAHIM/Isa IBRAHIM between the 1st day of January 2008 and the 18th day of April 2008 with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct to give effect to his intention to construct and detonate an improvised explosive device.

3) Possession of Articles for Terrorist Purposes, contrary to section 57(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000

Andrew Philip Michael IBRAHIM/Isa IBRAHIM on the 17th day of April 2008 had in his possession a CD Rom, two home made vests, a quantity of ball bearings, a quantity of air gun pellets, a quantity of nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Passed into law in 1883, The Explosive Substances Act precedes all current terrorist legislation and creates offenses of causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property or doing any act with intent to cause such an explosion. Andrew Ibrahim has been charged under section 3(1)(b) of the Act which refers to

Making, possessing or controlling an explosive substance with intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life

The charge, therefore, is more specific than a mere intention to act but involves the actual possession of an explosive substance which was intended to be used to kill or maim and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Sentencing has ranged between 25-35 years for individuals found guilty of this offense in recent years.

The Act (albeit a different section of it) formed part of the basis of the charges brought against Iraqi-born doctor Bilal Abdullah in connection with the bomb attacks in London and Glasgow Airport in 2007 and also those brought against former BNP activist Tony Lecomber in 1985. More recently, BNP members Robert Cottage and David Jackson were charged under the Act and acquitted at a retrial in July 2007.

In the case of Andrew Ibrahim, the police have made public the substance in question which they allege he intended to use to cause an explosion. Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine is an organic chemical compound historically used in mining and sensitive to heat, friction or shock.

The two charges under the Terrorism Act 2006 allege that Andrew Ibrahim did not merely possess an explosive substance with intent to use it but that he also acted in such a way as to prepare its use as an act of terror. Again, the police have been chillingly open in the amount of detail given, alleging as they do that Mr Ibrahim, a former student of Colston's School in Stapleton, possessed "two home made vests" along with ball bearings, nails, etc. which, it is alleged, he intended to use for terrorist purposes.

The Terrorist Act also carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

This post is submitted in line with the request by the police for the media to act responsibly in reporting these alleged charges, to recognise that Mr Ibrahim is innocent until proven guilty and to avoid at all costs any reporting that might prejudice the due process of law.
Comments that adhere to these guidelines are welcome.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Andrew Ibrahim Update

Now that Avon and Somerset Police have formally charged Andrew Ibrahim with three offenses, the following headings link to a number of posts on Trym Tales that consider different facets of the story as it currently stands.

All posts are submitted in line with the request by the police for the media to act responsibly in reporting these alleged charges, to recognise that Mr Ibrahim is innocent until proven guilty and to avoid any reporting that might prejudice the due process of law.

Comments are welcome and should be in line with the above guidelines.

For a detailed analysis of the charges that have been brought against Andrew Ibrahim, please click here.

For thoughts on the contribution of the Muslim community in Bristol, please click here.

For a page featuring all posts related to the recent police operation in Westbury on Trym, please click here.

The following video features Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts announcing today's charges and a statement on behalf of the Council of Bristol Mosques.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Was Andrew Ibrahim a Colston's Student?

There is a growing body of circumstantial evidence suggesting that Westbury-on-Trym resident Andrew Ibrahim, currently under arrest under the 2000 Terrorism Act, is a former student of Colston's School in Stapleton, Bristol.

Factors leading to this conclusion include:

1. The financial background. If, as the Telegraph reports, Andrew Ibrahim's father was a consultant pathologist at Frenchay Hospital, and resides in an £800,000 house in Frenchay Village, it is highly likely that his sons would have been sent to independent schools. The alternative for Frenchay residents would be Filton High School, Downend School or Sir Bernard Lovell School. Those familiar with these three local state schools will know that they do not tend to attract the children of hospital consultants - the latter, for instance, being described by a former teacher as populated by "working class kids whose families do not appear to hold education as a high value."

Indeed, the exclusive community of Frenchay, situated on the edge of the River Frome and with its own extensive common, has very few state educated children in it of secondary school age. The high probability is that Andrew Ibrahim was educated in one of Bristol's independent schools. This narrows the field realistically to three - Colston's, QEH and Bristol Grammar.

2. The geographical background. Frenchay is located on the north east corner of the Bristol conurbation, separated from the rest of the city by the M32 motorway. Children who live there and attend an independent school have great difficulty getting to QEH and Bristol Grammar School because of the city's huge traffic problems. A one-way car journey from Frenchay to Clifton (where the other two schools are located) takes over 45 minutes during the morning rush hour. For this reason, many Frenchay families choose Colston's School - a mere ten minutes from the Village. Many families in fact choose the school and then move to Frenchay because of its proximity to Colston's.

3. The Google factor. Trym Tales has received three visits in the last 24 hours from anonymous individuals who reached the site by googling "Andrew Ibrahim Colstons". These visitors were based in York, London and Bristol. Apparently there are individuals who are making the Colston's connection independently and are looking for evidence or confirmation.

4. The Telegraph. Since publishing this post on Sunday night, I have seen the latest Telegraph article, updated on Monday, which states that Ibrahim was a student at Colston's School and includes a quote from headmaster Peter Fraser, who has obviously had his weekend disturbed, confirming that the suspect did attend both the junior and senior schools. Well known ex-Colstonians include rugby player Olly Barkley and former test cricketer Chris Broad.

5. Trym Tales Readers. The comments below add weight to the Colston's link and are much appreciated. Thank you.


Three Footnotes:

1. Everything in this post points to circumstantial factors rather than hard evidence and should be interpreted as such.
   
2. Readers choosing to refer to this evidence elsewhere on the Internet are welcome to do so and are requested to include a link back to Trym Tales.
3. Nothing contained in this post should be interpreted as a criticism of Colston's School.
   

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Terror Alert in Westbury on Trym - Update

At 6.45 pm Friday a bomb disposal van returned to the property in Westbury on Trym where teenager Andrew Ibrahim lived before his arrest yesterday under the 2000 Terrorism Act. A second controlled explosion was due to take place at the house about 10.00 pm.

Thanks to the BBC for this great video footage of local residents sharing their thoughts on events in Eastfield (before nipping down the hill to Somerfield for a pint of milk and a chump chop for tea.) You can follow the BBC's coverage of the story here.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.