Four London bomb plotters lose appeal

Four men serving at least 40 years in prison for planning the botched 2005 suicide bombings in London failed today in a Court…

Four men serving at least 40 years in prison for planning the botched 2005 suicide bombings in London failed today in a Court of Appeal bid to challenge their convictions.

Three judges in London dismissed applications brought by Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman for leave to appeal.

Clockwise from top left: Ramzi Mohammed, Muktar Said Ibrahim, Hussain Osman
Clockwise from top left: Ramzi Mohammed, Muktar Said Ibrahim, Hussain Osman

They were jailed for life last July after being convicted at London's Woolwich Crown Court of conspiracy to murder.

Today's ruling was given by Sir Igor Judge, Mr Justice Forbes and Mr Justice Mackay, who heard argument in the case last month.

On July 21st, 2005, the men had tried to detonate rucksacks laden with explosives on three Underground trains at Shepherd's Bush station, Oval station and Warren Street station, together with a bus in Hackney Road, killing themselves and passengers, but the bombs failed to go off.

The attempted attacks came two weeks after four suicide bombers struck in central London, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770.

The judges also dismissed applications brought by Mohammed and Osman against sentence.

Sir Igor said: "These were merciless and extreme crimes. As they were rightly meant to be, the sentences were severe and extreme.

"Beyond doubt, however, they were utterly justified."