Ms DD Posted May 15, 2007 Terror arrests for possessing talcum powder Three Muslim Scots accused of running a bomb factory and being members of al-Qa’ida have claimed a suspicious substance they were linked to was simply talcum powder. Brothers Irfan and Naim Nasim and their cousin Asid Ashraf were arrested and held for three days after white powder was found in a flat above the offices of MP Mohammed Sarwar and then MSP Gordon Jackson last weekend. Officers acting on a tip-off took the men to Govan Police Station in Glasgow and told them to strip so their clothes could be taken for tests. They were left in their boxer shorts, had their mobiles taken off them and were given a blanket each before being put in separate cells in a specialist anti-terror holding unit. The three shopkeepers claim they were insulted by police, called "f***ing a***holes" and quizzed at least 10 times by Special Branch officers. During interviews they were repeatedly accused of making bombs and being members of al-Qa’ida. They were among six people - including a 15-year-old boy - arrested in last weekend’s anti-terror raid on the flat in Paisley Road West. Families were evacuated from the building and a newsagent shop owned by the Nasim family was closed down as police and bomb experts swept the area. Police later said the powder was "non-threatening". The three men say it was just talc left by Polish workers, the flat’s former tenants. Irfan, 26, a married father-of-two, said they were cleaning the property when police swooped. It is one of five flats in the block owned by the Nasim family. Irfan said: "The treatment we received was disgraceful. "They said, ‘you are terrorists, you are with al-Qa’ida, you were making bombs’. "There is no one more westernised than me. I was born and educated in Glasgow and have never been to Pakistan. "I prefer Spain for my holidays, I drink and I don’t go to the mosque. "Do I sound like a Muslim fanatic who supports terrorism? "We all have Scottish nicknames. I am called Tony, Naim is called Jamie and Asid is called Sid. "I only knew the full extent of was happening when we were given the Sunday Mail in our cells." Asid, 27, is demanding an apology from the police. He added: "I am the only one of the three of us who goes to the mosque and has been to Pakistan. "We have been picked on because we are Muslim. I don’t know where the police got their information but they could not have been more wrong." Their solicitor, human rights lawyer Dilip Deb, said: "This has been a botch-up job by the police." He added: "To suggest my clients are terrorists is laughable and I will be demanding a full apology. We also want compensation for Mr Nasim whose shop had to close all day Saturday losing thousands of pounds worth of business." Police released the 15-year-old on Sunday but the five others including Irfan, Naim and Asid were taken to Glasgow Sheriff Court last Monday. They were charged with obstructing police and freed on bail. Strathclyde Police said: "Inquiries are ongoing and further charges may follow. Any complaint will be fully investigated." http://www.themuslimweekly.co.uk/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar Posted May 16, 2007 "There is no one more westernised than me. I was born and educated in Glasgow and have never been to Pakistan. "I prefer Spain for my holidays, I drink and I don’t go to the mosque. "Do I sound like a Muslim fanatic who supports terrorism? "We all have Scottish nicknames. I am called Tony, Naim is called Jamie and Asid is called Sid. Hakaa saarto. Kugu fiicanaa. Laakiin maraxa su'aasha uu isweydiin lahaa waxee tahay: Did being "westernized, drinking [qamri supposedly], non-masaajid going, changing to Christian names" help you? Daciif kaas camal ayaa jiro, wuuba u qalmaa in lagu haayo saldhig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legend of Zu Posted May 16, 2007 ^^^^ You have no Idea what they put him thru...it is easy to judge from outside. So I would qualify my response if i were you! Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted May 16, 2007 ^^ You miss the point Mr Zu. What MMA is trying to say is that no matter what you do to try and shed your identity, it'd still be there and probably haunt you. The Bosnian muslims come to mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites