Terrorist could not be deported due to trial
A LIBYAN refugee behind the Reading terror attack could not be deported as he was facing a trial accused of eating a mattress at a police station, an inquest has heard.
Khairi Saadallah shouted “Allahu akhbar” as he fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in the Berkshire town’s Forbury Gardens on June 20 2020.
A pre-inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in
London yesterdayheard that, on July 24 2019, Saadallah is alleged to have spat at a police officer after being arrested and went on to damage a mattress.
Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquest, said in court papers: “On that date, Saadallah is said to have attended Reading police station, spat at a detention officer after arrest, and damaged a mattress by eating it.
“He was charged, pleaded not guilty, released on unconditional bail and his trial was adjourned due to Covid.
“It appears that Saadallah was next due in court for these offences in July 2020 – after the date of the attack.”
Home Office staff emailed Thames Valley Police on May 28 2020, stating that they planned to deport Saadallah but were unable to “until the impending charges had been dealt with”.
However, other Home Office staff were arguing against deporting Saadallah as it was dangerous for him to return to Libya at the time, the court heard.
The charges – being drunk and disorderly, destroying or damaging property, and assault by beating of an emergency worker – were dropped on June 1 2020, shortly before the attack.
Mr Moss said solicitors to the inquest have requested a witness statement from the Crown Prosecution Service “addressing why the decision was made not to pursue” the charges.