This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2335
September 3, 2006
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17670070&method=full&siteid=64736&headline=terror-probe-school-had-links-with-hate-cleric-abu-hamza--name_page.html TERROR PROBE SCHOOL HAD LINKS WITH HATE CLERIC ABU HAMZA
A SCHOOL linked to hate preacher Abu Hamza was raided by anti-terror police as 16 people were arrested in swoops across the country.
Officers in riot gear stormed the Jameah Islameah School yesterday at 6am. They set up a three mile exclusion zone around the building in Crowborough, Sussex.
It was revealed last week that Hamza - now in jail for inciting terrorism - camped with followers in the Muslim school's grounds.
The raid followed the arrest of 12 men at a Chinese restaurant in south London. It serves Halal food, which is eaten by Muslims.
Two other people were arrested elsewhere in the capital at the same time.
Police also arrested two people in Manchester in a separate development.
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The swoop on the school was linked to the London raids. Sussex Police said a search of the school - a red brick mansion - could take "days, possibly weeks".
Education inspectors had criticised the "obvious weaknesses" at the school.
Ofsted's report from last year said the £1000-a-year school had only nine pupils, all aged 12 to 15.
They found it failed to provide a satisfactory education for pupils but said they were were well-behaved and disciplined.
The school advertises itself as a retreat for Muslims and opens its grounds to campers at weekends. Hamza's arrival stunned locals.
In Friday night's raid, armed police arrested 12 people at the Bridge to China Town restaurant in Elephant & Castle.
Scotland Yardsaid they and two others were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism after "months of surveillance".
Police said the arrests were not linked to the alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners or the July 7 bombings.
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2335