The UK has released Mohammed Shahjahan, a 38-year-old extremist once described as one of Britain’s most dangerous terrorists. Shahjahan was jailed in 2012 for plotting major attacks on Boris Johnson, Big Ben and the London Stock Exchange as leader of the Stoke Islamist cell.
Shahjahan had previously failed a parole bid in 2023, but after another review the Parole Board cleared him for release. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the move, saying there was “no legal basis” to overturn the decision, despite the Lord Chancellor opposing his release last year.
The Stoke group, of which Shahjahan was the self-styled “emir,” was considered a serious threat. Its members spread extremist propaganda and coordinated with networks in London and Cardiff. One of his associates, Usman Khan, went on to murder two young people in the 2019 Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack after being freed early.
News of Shahjahan’s release has triggered outrage. Critics warn he could still pose a grave risk, recalling that several members of his network were previously freed early, with deadly consequences.