Researchers have no ‘right’ to study terrorist materials
In one of those rare cases where life mimics fiction here is a stunning example right out of J.K. Rowling’s ministerial decrees. A graduate student and a clerk were held for five days for possession of ‘research terrorist materials’ which is now against the University of Nottingham’s rules. They were held without charges ever being pressed for five days under the Terrorism Act. To make it even more asinine the graduate student in question is researching Islamic Terrorism.
In a statement issued to the university last week, Sir Colin Campbell says: “There is no ‘right’ to access and research terrorist materials. Those who do so run the risk of being investigated and prosecuted on terrorism charges. Equally, there is no ‘prohibition’ on accessing terrorist materials for the purpose of research. Those who do so are likely to be able to offer a defence to charges (although they may be held in custody for some time while the matter is investigated). This is the law and applies to all universities.”
Sir Colin issued the statement to advise staff to note “additional points” that have emerged since the arrest in May of a Nottingham masters student and a clerk on suspicion of possessing extremist material.
The student, Rizwaan Sabir, who is studying Islamic terrorism, said he had downloaded a copy of an al-Qaeda training manual for use in his MA dissertation and PhD application and had forwarded it to the administrator, Hicham Yezza, for printing. After six days in detention, neither was charged.