STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT ON THE CHARGES BROUGHT BY THE UNITED KINGDOM AGAINST EIGHT INDIVIDUALS ALLEGEDLY TIED TO POTENTIAL TERRORIST ACTIVITY

“For several weeks, the Department of Justice has been working closely and cooperatively on this important matter with British authorities and other partners in the war against terror. We commend the United Kingdom’s action today in bringing criminal charges against individuals who may have connections to potential terrorist activities in the United States. We expect these charges will result in the continued safe detention of these individuals. Our expert team of agents and analysts from the FBI will continue to share information and expertise with their British colleagues. In addition, prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Counterterrorism Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan will explore every aspect of this case and evaluate whether additional charges, including potential charges in the United States, are appropriate. Working with our allies, we will continue to take every measure to protect the people of the United States and safeguard their liberties, in this time of heightened terrorist threat.”

###

04-564