Man linked to 7/7 London bombings released from mental hospital

A man convicted of terrorism offenses has been released from a secure mental health facility in south-east London. A High Court judge approved the release last year after treatment for schizoaffective disorder was completed. The man, identified as Harron Aswat, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2015 by a New York judge for plotting an extremist training camp in Oregon before 2001.

Background on prior offenses Police traced 20 calls from the 7/7 London bombers to a phone linked to Aswat hours before the 2005 attacks. In the United States, he reportedly confessed involvement in both the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks. A 2022 psychiatric assessment found no evidence of the mental health disorder at the time of the Oregon offenses.

The same report noted he remains at risk of Islamic violent extremism and has twice relapsed after stopping medication.

Monitoring and official response He is expected to move to Batley, West Yorkshire, to live with family. Officials stated he will be monitored by the Home Office with restrictions in place. A Home Office spokesman said protecting the public is the government's first priority and that robust counter-terrorism measures exist to manage such cases.

The Shadow Home Secretary told The Telegraph the release raises concerns given prior involvement in plots linked to mass murder.