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WHAT KIND OF OFFENSES ARE CONSIDERED TERRORISM IN BRITAIN? Suspects can be detained over a wide range of terrorism offenses -- from suspicion of preparing to carry out, to initiate or direct a terrorist attack; preparing weapons or other planning for terrorism; possessing documents about terrorism, like bomb-making guides; raising funds; attending or organizing terrorist training camps; distributing terrorist books, videos or websites, or an offense of encouraging others to carry out terrorism. Membership of any of 62 groups banned in Britain as terrorist organizations is also an offense. HOW LONG CAN PEOPLE BE HELD WHEN ARRESTED? Since taking office in 2011, Britain's coalition government has rolled back some of the country's most draconian anti-terrorism laws. Police now have up to 14 days to hold terrorism suspects
-- down from 28 days -- before they must be charged with a crime or released. In contrast, U.S. authorities have only seven days and French police only six to bring charges. Ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair lost a 2005 Parliamentary vote seeking to set the limit at 90 days. HAVE OTHER LAWS BEEN SCALED BACK? A system of house arrest for some suspects who cannot be charged with any offense
-- typically because to do so could jeopardize an intelligence source -- has been scaled back. Authorities can order a person to stay at a specific address overnight, and restrict their contact with certain people, but the program is now limited to two years
-- previously it had been indefinite. Police no longer have powers to conduct random public searches on anti-terrorism grounds, while more stringent laws govern the retention of DNA or fingerprints.
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC TOLD? When people are arrested on suspicion of terrorism -- just like with any other crime in Britain
-- police publicly announce the age and genders of those arrested, details of addresses where they were detained and other locations being searched. Police also announce the alleged offenses carried out, but typically this is restricted to the brief legal definition and does not include detail of the specific case. If suspects are charged, prosecutors then outline more details at an initial court hearing before a judge. However, much of this can't be immediately disclosed under laws which seek to ensure the suspects receive a fair trial and that potential jurors at any future hearing haven't already been swayed by detailed accounts in the media.
[Associated
Press;
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