Brothers to speak of terror arrest experience

Two brothers held as terror suspects for more than a week following a controversial raid by armed UK police will today speak …

Two brothers held as terror suspects for more than a week following a controversial raid by armed UK police will today speak publicly for the first time about their ordeal.

Mohammed Abdul Kahar (23) who was shot during the dawn operation, and 20-year-old Abul Koyair will hold a press conference less than a mile from the scene of the raid in Forest Gate, east London.

Their personal testimonies could pile more pressure on Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, who has faced fresh calls to resign since the brothers were released without charge on Friday.

Yesterday senior figures, including the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and London Mayor Ken Livingstone, gave the police chief — also under pressure over the shooting of innocent Brazilian man Jean Charles de Menezes — their personal backing.

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The two brothers, who deny any involvement with terrorism, were arrested on June 2nd when 250 officers — some armed and some wearing chemical suits — raided their house in Lansdown Road.

Both were held under anti-terror legislation at the high-security Paddington Green police station until Friday evening when they were finally released.

Over the weekend, about 250 demonstrators gathered outside Scotland Yard to protest at the operation. Reports have also suggested the two brothers could each claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation.

A spokesman for the Newham Monitoring Project, a community organisation supporting the family involved in the raid, said the brothers felt it was now time to give their version of events.

Until now, the family have only spoken through statements issued by their sister, Humeya Kalam.

"The two brothers will talk about their experience; what happened to them during the raid, what happened in Paddington Green police station and the effect it has had on their family and community," the spokesman said.

"This is their first public experience. The family and brothers were not in any fit state, both mentally and physically, to speak earlier."

PA