Support Terrorist Organizations

Terrorism offences are covered by several pieces of legislation including the Terrorism Act 2000 (Amended 2006) and the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001.

When an investigation is conducted on alleged members of proscribed organisations, they can involve detention or a control order, which may effectively place the individual involved under house arrest. The house arrest would mean that the involved individual would be barred from using their telephone and computer. There also may be a breach of human rights or the freezing of assets.

Supporting terrorist organisation offences carry a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and/or a fine. However, in some cases where a member of a banned organisation has been convicted for wearing clothes or displaying materials identifying them as a member of a proscribed organisation, the maximum penalty is six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5,000.

We recommend seeking legal advice at an early stage of a police or National Crime Agency (NCA). We believe it is vital that we begin your defence early, to increase chances of a successful defence. SKR Legal Solicitors have extensive experience and expertise in complex cases involving terrorism charges. We have a successful immigration department that may also be able to assist as this is something that may be relevant in a terrorism allegation.

Terrorist Funding

Terrorist financing is the raising, moving, storing and using of financial resources for the purposes of terrorism.

Legal requirement: sections 15-18 of the Terrorism Act 2000 lists the criminal offences related to terrorist financing. They include raising, holding and using funds for terrorism purposes.

Legal requirement: sections 15-18 of the Act make it an offence to:

• raise, receive or provide funds for the purpose of terrorism

• hold or use funds for the purposes of terrorism

• become involved in an arrangement to make funds available for the purposes of terrorism

• facilitate the laundering of terrorist money

Encouraging Inciting Terrorism

Encouraging or inviting terrorism is a new offence. It was introduced under the Terrorism Act 2006. The offence is defined as the following: “A statement that is likely to be understood by some or all of the members of the public to whom it is published as a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to them to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism or convention offences.”

The suspect may be confined to his or her home, without access to any or all forms of communication; or even separation from their family. This may be a consequence of police investigation which can also result in threatening the human rights of the suspect.

It is essential to get in contact with SKR Legal Solicitors at the early stages of an investigation into terrorism allegations to avoid any errors as it can be crucial to the outcome of a case if it goes to trial.

Preparation of Terrorist acts

A person commits an offence if, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, or assisting another to commit such acts, he engages in any conduct in preparation for giving effect to his intention.

It is irrelevant for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the intention and preparations relate to one or more particular acts of terrorism, acts of terrorism of a particular description or acts of terrorism generally.

The usual sentencing guidelines for this offence are as follows:

• Triable only on indictment

• Maximum: Life imprisonment

• Offence range: 3 years’ custody – Life Imprisonment (minimum term 40 years)

Breach of Control Orders

A control order can be imposed, when the suspected individual is under investigation for terrorism related offences. A majority of control orders are imposed on the basis that of the Home Secretary’s Suspicion that the subject was a hardened terrorist, actively involved in terrorist plots in the UK or abroad.

Control orders were preventative measures, intended to protect members of the public from the risk of terrorism by imposing restraints on those suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activity. They have now been replaced with Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs).

In the United Kingdom, measures with similarities to control orders exist both for countering national security threats and for the prevention of other types of serious crime. Control orders can be distressing for controlled persons and their families. If you are in need of legal advice, then do not hesitate to contact SKR Legal Solicitors.

FAQ

Funding your defence

• SKR Legal Solicitors are able to offer Legal Aid in criminal cases. Please contact us on our office line to discuss your eligibility to receive Legal Aid. If you are eligible for Legal Aid, we will fill out all necessary documentation on your behalf. Where Legal Aid may not be available, we will discuss a competitive fixed rate fee.

• Contact us

For more information on representation, contact us today on 0116 254 6246 or by email on info@skr-legal.com. Give yourself a winning chance with SKR Legal Solicitors.