The July 21, 2005 London Transport Bombings

The NEFA Foundation Josh Lefkowitz, Senior Analyst July 2008 *Updated December 2008* (see slide 108-109)

The Bombers

 Served as emir of the bomb cell.1 Born in January 1978; Eritrean. Moved to England in November 1990. Used the name Muktar Mohammad Said on his U.K. passport. Left his family in 1994. Family issued a statement following the bombings saying, He is not a close family member. He has not visited here for many months months. College dropout who associated with a gang and had a criminal record. Pl d guilty to indecent assault on a 15 year old. Pled il i d l ld Committed street robberies. Imprisoned at Feltham Young Offenders Institute for five p g years. Worked in market stalls; received government benefits.2

Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Police 1) 2) Sean ONeill, Muktar Said Ibrahim: From Robbery and Indecent Assault to Bomb Plot Leader, Times Online, July 10, 2007. Profile: Muktar Ibrahim, BBC, July 11, 2007 and Philippe Naughton, Bomb Suspects Family Speaks of Their Shock, Times Online, July 26, 2005.

 Served as second in command of the bomb cell.3 Born in January 1981; Somali. Moved to England with his two sisters in 1992 at the age of 12. His parents may have been killed in Somalia. Placed in foster care until he was 18 years old. Lived with a Christian couple in north London. Studied science at Enfield College.4 Participated in an engagement ceremony at Finchley mosque four days before the failed bombings.5

Yassin Omar

Met Police 3) 4) 5) Profile: Yassin Omar, BBC, July 9, 2007 and Sean ONeill, Muktar Said Ibrahim: From Robbery and Indecent Assault to Bomb Plot Leader, Times Online, July 10, 2007. Sandra Laville, Refugee Children who Turned Against Britain, The Guardian, July 9, 2007. Lucy Manning, Tracing the 21/7 Bombers, Channel 4, July 9, 2007.

 Born July 1978; Ethiopian. Real name is Hamdi Isaac Adus.6 "Hamdi was a very good boy. I brought up all my sons including Hamdi very well. They were disciplined. Osmans father7 Left Ethiopia for Italy in 1992 at the age of 14 with his family. Moved to England in 1996 with his brother; claimed his name was Hussein Osman and that he was Somali in an effort to secure asylum. Succeeded in claiming asylum. Married8 with three children.9

Hussain Osman

Met Police

6) 7) 8) 9)

Profile: Hussain Osman, BBC, July 9, 2007. Lucy Manning, Tracing the 21/7 Bombers, Channel 4, July 9, 2007. Profile: Hussain Osman, BBC, July 9, 2007 and Sandra Laville, Refugee Children who Turned Against Britain, The Guardian, July 9, 2007. Daniel McGrory, Stewart Tendler, and Sean ONeill, Captured - All Five 21/7 Bomb Suspects, Times Online, July 30, 2005.

 Born August 1981; Somali.10 Spent time in a refugee camp due to civil war. Father was forced into a militia. To keep Mohammed and his brothers safe, his mother sent them to Kenya in early 1998.11 Moved to England in September 1998. Spent time in the care of social services. Fathered two children with his Swedish girlfriend. Held jobs at a bar at Waterloo station, an American Bagel Factory store, and a merchandising firm. Received indefinite leave to remain in England in April 2005.12

Ramzi Mohammed

Met Police 10) 11) 12) Profile: Ramzi Mohammed, BBC, July 9, 2007. The Four Guilty July 21 Bombers, The Daily Telegraph, July 10, 2007. Profile: Ramzi Mohammed, BBC, July 9, 2007.

 Biographical details are sketchy. Reportedly born in 1973; Ghanaian. Real name purportedly is Sumaila Abubakhari. Raised in a relatively well-off household. Worked with his family in agriculture. In July 2003, with money borrowed from his sister, who was living in the U S he purchased a false Ghanaian passport and U.S., bank statements. In December 2003, he flew to England on a six-month visa. Utilized the name Georges Nanak Marquaye. Then, he adopted the name Manfo Kwaku Asiedu. Asiedu was an individual who had stayed in the same house in which Abubakhari was living. Held jobs as a handyman, painter, and decorator. Lacked the outward religious fervor of his co-conspirators.13

Manfo Kwaku Asiedu

Met Police

13) Profile: Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, BBC, November 9, 2007 and Adam Fresco and Sean ONeill, Last 21/7 Plotter Admits Role in Failed Attack, The Times, November 10, 2007.

The Radicalization of the Plotters:

The Role of Mohammed Hamid & Atilla Ahmet

 Born in October1957 in Tanzania to an Indian family. Also known as Mohammed Hussein Al-Quran. Served prison time for robbery; recovering crack addict. Turned to Islam in the 1990s. Opened an Islamic bookshop in East 1990s London. Ran a dawah stall in Central London. Worked alongside Muktar Said Ibrahim and was arrested with him in October 2004 following a dispute at the stall stall. Told an officer on the scene: I've got a bomb and I'm going to blow you all up. Intermittently attended sermons delivered by Abu Hamza al Masri at al-Masri 14 Londons Finsbury Park mosque. Al-Masri was convicted in 2006 of soliciting to murder.

Mohammed Hamid

Met Police

Hamids Dawah Stall

BBC

14) Dominic Casciani, The Radicaliser and the Bombers, BBC, February 26, 2008 and Metropolitan Police.

 Born in England in March 1964. Turkish Cypriot roots. Married with four children. Youth soccer coach. Known as Alan Atilla. Converted to Islam Became known as Abu Abdullah. Islam. Abdullah Served as Abu Hamza al-Masris right-hand man and spokesman. Took over as the leader of the Supporters of Shariah, a group founded by Abu Hamza.15

Attila Ahmet

Met Police

Ahmet and Abu Hamza

BBC

15) Dipesh Gadher, Hemza Hecnhman Defies Law to Praise 7/7 Bombers, Times Online, August 27, 2006 and Metropolitan Police.

Excerpt from Supporters of Shariah Website

Close Associates
Hamid Ahmet

Dubbed himself Osama Bin London. Claimed close ties to Afghanistan. Asserted he had helped associates fight fi h overseas. Stated, As they wage war in our lands, you know it's halal [permissible] for you to do it here [in England] Said that fifty two deaths in the 7/7 bombings are not even a breakfast for me.

Claimed to be the "number one AlQaeda in Europe. Boasted he loves Usama bin Laden more than himself. Argued America deserved a A dA i d d punch in the nose on 9/11. Said that because you are attacking our people in Muslim countries, in Iraq, in Afghanistanit's legitimate to attack British soldiers and policemen, government officials, and even the White House.17

16) Terror Training Camps: Key Quotes, BBC, February 26, 2008.

17) Terror Training Camps: Key Quotes, BBC, February 26, 2008 and Souad Mekhennet and Dexter Filkins, British Law Against Glorifying Terrorism Has Not Silenced Calls to Kill for Islam, New York Times, August 21, 2006.

 Hamid hosted meetings at his East London home where he and Ahmet would -- i th words of h h d Ah t ld in the d f British police -- encourage their audience to murder people who do not believe in the Islamic faith.18 According to the Met Police, the group would [also] talk about preparing for life as fighters, discipline and training.
Met Police

Hussain Osman and Ramzi Mohammed attended talks at Hamid's house.19 Following the 7/7 bombings, Hamid text messaged Hussain Osman: "Assalam bro, we fear no-one except ALLAH, we will not change our ways, we are proud to be a Muslim and we will not hide. 8pm Friday at my place be there food an [sic] talk..."20 Hamid was in telephone contact with Osman, Mohammed, Muktar Said Ibrahim, and Yassin Omar. Omar 21
18) Metropolitan Police Press Release, February 27, 2008. 19) Dominic Casciani, The Radicaliser and the Bombers, BBC, February 26, 2008. 20) Terror Training Camps: Key Quotes, BBC, February 26, 2008. 21) Man Admits Encouraging Terror Attacks, The Guardian, October 10, 2007.

Hamids Living Room

Met Police

 As the Met Police explained, Hamid also organised camping and paintballing trips involving military-style training in various parts of the United Kingdom. The training and discipline learned on the trips, combined with the teaching provided by Hamid and Ahmet and others, was preparing those taking part for Jihad 22 Jihad. British Prosecutor David Farrell argued that Hamids talks and camps were "a grooming mechanism for disaffected Muslim men slowly and men, sometimes subtly, preparing them and radicalising for jihad.23 Farrell added that the camping trips sought to p g p g foster within the participants that they were training for 'Jihad against the 'Kuffir, or nonbelievers. 24

Press Association

Surveillance Photo of Hamid on a Camping Trip

22) Metropolitan Police Press Release, February 27, 2008. 23) Dominic Casciani, The Radicaliser and the Bombers, BBC, February 26, 2008. 24) Duncan Gardham, Suspect 'dubbed himself Osama bin London', The Daily Telegraph, November 11, 2007.

 British police officer Paul Burke has explained that he

stumbled upon one of the camps in Cumbria, in Englands north west, while running on May 2, 2004; at that time, he observed Hamid shouting orders at i i i approximately 20 men, who were lined up and wearing small backpacks. When Burke encountered the same group on May 29, g p y , 2004, he saw people running around and doing forward rolls. Some of them were holding branches or sticks as though they were carrying rifles. A British law enforcement officer who was called in to conduct surveillance on the group testified about tracking the men on a mountain: They set off running down the hill in single file. It was like a forced march for stamina or fitness training. The following day, he watched the men practice forward rolls, which he assessed looked like a military maneuver. Hussein Osman, Ramzi Mohammed, Yassin Omar, Muktar Said Ibrahim, and Abdel Yahya (for more on Yahya, see the Support Network section) were all in attendance at the camp and captured by police surveillance.25
Cumbria
Met Police

Met Police

An attendee at a Hamid-run camp leaps a river and practices forward rolls

25) Duncan Gardham, July 21 Bombers Trained at Cumbria Camp, The Daily Telegraph, October 17, 2007 and Metropolitan Police.

Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Police

Ramzi Mohammed

Met Police

Ramzi Mohammed (left) and Yassin Omar (right in hooded sweatshirt)

Met Police

Yassin Omar

Met Police

Hussain Osman

Met Police

Note: Osmans young son also attended the camp. See:: Wife Knew About 21/7 Bomb Plot, BBC, February 27, 2008.

Mohammed Hamid playing paintball

BBC

Muktar Said Ibrahim also attended a Hamid-organized camp in Cumbria in August 2004 that was surveilled by MI5 MI5. MI5 Agent 1259 reported: "There were about 10 males leopard crawling moving low and flat along the ground. They were doing press-ups and sit-ups hard physical activity and there was an anti-ambush drill, reacting to effective enemy fire.26 Further, Hussain Osman and Ramzi Mohammed went paintballing with a group that included Mohammed Hamid at the Tonbridge paintball center on July 3, 2005.27 3 2005
Camping, canoeing, white-water rafting, paintballing and other outward bound type activities are of particular interest because they appear common factors for the 7 July bombers and other cells disrupted previously and sinceIt is worth noting that for some extremist activities e.g. fighting overseas physical fitness and resilience are essential. They [such trips] may also be used to help with bonding between members of cells already established, or for more direct established indoctrination or operational training and planning. - Report of the Official Account of the Bombings in London on 7th July 2005, House of Commons, May 11, 2006
26) Duncan Gardham, MI5 Filmed Muslim Terrorist Camp, The Daily Telegraph, October 17, 2007. 27) Adam Sherwin, BBC Took Terrorist Trainers Paintballing, Times Online, December 5, 2007.

Met Police

Met Police

Hamid

Ahmet

ConvictedinFebruary2008of:
Threecountsofsolicitingmurder Threecountsofprovidingterroristtraining Twocountsofsolicitingmurder Onecountofprovidingweaponstraining One count of providing weapons training andpossessingarecordcontaining informationlikelytobeusefultoaterrorist

PledguiltyinSeptember2007to:
Threecountsofsolicitingtomurder28

Foundnotguiltyof:

28) Metropolitan Police.

The Radicalization of the Plotters:

The Role of Abu Hamza al-Masri

 According to prosecutors, Muktar Said Ibrahim and Ramzi Mohammed were both devoted follower[s] of Abu Hamza alMasri.
One press report stated that Mohammed Mohammed was spotted by police surveillance officers at the cleric's street sermons outside Finsbury Park Mosque on January 9, January 23, and August 6 2004 where he was seen as part of the p official entourage, packing away prayer blankets and talking to other leading figures of the group.29

Yassin Omar and Abdel Yahya (for more on Yahya, see the Support Network section) also attended al-Masris sermons. Omar and Ibrahim were found to be in possession of al-Masri tapes.30
Abu Hamza al-Masri
29) 21/7 Link to Cleric of Hate', The Sun, June 9, 2007 and Sandra Laville, Refugee Children who Turned Against Britain, The Guardian, July 9, 2007. 30) Kevin Sullivan and Karla Adam, Trial Opens in London Transit Bombing Plot, The Washington Post, January 16, 2007.

The Radicalization of the Plotters:

The Role of Jihadist Propaganda

Searches of the Bomb Plotters Residences Turned Up:

Speeches by Usama Bin Laden Speeches by Abu Hamza al-Masri Speeches by Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal Caravan Of Martyrs video Footage of a suicide bomb attack on a U.S. military facility in Saudi Arabia News footage of the 7/7 bombing The 19 Martyrs CD-Rom Dhiren Barots Army of Madinah in Kashmir Explosives training footage Jihadist video of executions of an apparent Egyptian spy, a Korean man, a U.S. electrical engineer and a CIA agent. Video titled Islam - The Only Solution To World Peace Dirty Kuffar jihadist rap video31 Dirty Kuffar

31)

Sean ONeill, 21/7: The Trial, Times Online, January 16, 2007, Terror Police Found 9/11 Speech, BBC, January 30, 2007 and Death Videos Shown in Bomb Trial, BBC, February 12, 2007 and Profile: Ramzi Mohammed, BBC, July 9, 2007.

Training for Jihad:

Sudan, Scotland, and Pakistan

 In addition to the Mohammed Hamid-led training t i i sessions i C b i members of i in Cumbria, b f the bombing conspiracy also trained for jihad in Sudan, Scotland, and Pakistan. 2003: Muktar Said Ibrahim trained with rocket propelled grenades in Sudan; he funded his trip by renting out his apartment. apartment 32 2004: Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, and Adel Yahya traveled to Scotland together. A witness testified in court that they were doing some training, but without weapons so they could prepare to go to jihad in Afghanistan or in Iraq.33

Terrorists training with RPGs

32) Kevin Sullivan and Karla Adam, Trial Opens in London Transit Bombing Plot, Washington Post, January 16, 2007 and Sean ONeill, Muktar Said Ibrahim: From robbery and indecent assault to bomb plot leader, Times Online, July 10, 2007. 33) Bomb Plot Accused Were Fanatics, BBC, February 7, 2007.

 2004: Specially Designated Global Terrorist

Mohammed al-Ghabra allegedly assisted Muktar Said Ibrahim in procuring military training in Pakistan. MI5 agents tailed Ibrahim as he was driven to Heathrow
Airport by Rauf Mohammed, al-Ghabras purported associate, on December 11. (Mohammed was later acquitted of terror charges.)34 Ibrahim and his two companions -- Shakeel Ismail and t o Razwan Majid were searched at Heathrow before their flight to Islamabad. Found with 2,200 in cash, a military first aid kit in camouflage packaging and part of a first aid manual on how to treat ballistic injuries. Ibrahim claimed he was attending a wedding.35

Ibrahim was in Pakistan from December 2004

through March 2005. He overlapped in Pakistan with 7/7 bombers Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, who were in Pakistan from November 14 February 8. While it is unclear if the men met, they returned with
highly specialized bomb-making knowledge. According to defense attorney Stephen Kamlish, the only two occasions on which the authorities in this country had ever come across an improvised explosive device made from hydrogen peroxide and an organic substance was the 7th of July and the 21st of July.36
34) David Leppard, Fixer for 21/7 plot free in London, Times Online, July 15, 2007 and Treasury Designates Individual Supporting Al Qaida, Other Terrorist Organizations, U.S. Treasury Department Press Release, December 19, 2006. 35) Police Hunted Suspect Before 21/7, BBC, March 30, 2007. 36) Sean ONeill, Leaders of 7/7 and 21/7 Plots Trained Together, Court Told, The Times (London), March 24, 2007 and 21/7: Was it Linked to 7/7?, BBC, July 11, 2007.

Terrorist training camp in North Waziristan

Note: According to the U.S. Treasury Department, al-Ghabra, a naturalized British citizen, has organized travel to Pakistan for individuals seeking to meet with senior al Qaida individuals and to undertake jihad training. Several of these individuals have returned to the UK to engage in covert activity on behalf of al QaidaAl Ghabra is also in regular contact with UK-based Islamist extremists and has been involved in the radicalizing of individuals in the UK through the distribution of extremist media.

Purchasing the Bomb Components

 Between May 9 and July 5, 2005, the

conspirators bought 443 liters of hydrogen peroxide f from three London businesses. Purchased 218 liters from one supplier.37 On May 19, for example, Manfo Kwaku Asiedu p purchased all of the hydrogen p y g peroxide in stock at Hairways in Tottenham. An employee at the store testified, When I
asked what the product was going to be used for, I was told it would be for the stripping of wallpaper. When I suggested that this was a dangerous product to use, I was told it was no problem, that they had done it many times before and this was the best product for doing the job.38

Met Police

Receipt from Sally's Hairdressers, Finchley for 120 liters of hydrogen peroxide on June 30, 2005

Met Police

37) Michael Holden, Militants Plotted Second Wave of UK Bombs, Court Told, Reuters, January 15, 2007 and Metropolitan Police. 38) Bomb Jury Told of Peroxide Buying, BBC, January 19, 2007.

Met Police

O July 5, 2005, Manfo Asiedu and Muktar Said Ibrahim bought more On J l 5 2005 M f A i d d M k S id Ib hi b h than 200 liters of hydrogen peroxide at Pak Cosmetics. The video from the stores surveillance camera was entered into evidence during the plotters trial.39 Adel Yahya had also visited Pak Cosmetics about purchasing hydrogen peroxide; he gave the name Yousef to employees. A sales assistant testified during the trial that he mentioned they wanted to buy it [hydrogen peroxide] in larger quantitiesAt a later stage, he said they were carpenters and they used it for washing g y p y g some wood and stuff. He said they used it in building work.40
39) Metropolitan Police and Timeline: 21 July Bomb Plot, BBC, July 10, 2007. 40) Bomb Jury Told of Peroxide Buying, BBC, January 19, 2007.

Preparing the B b P i h Bombs

Yassin Omars apartment 8 Curtis House, New Southgate, North London served as the bomb factory Omar s House Southgate

Met Police

Note: In June 2005, Manfo Asiedu moved in with Yassin Omar. See: Profile: Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, BBC, November 9, 2007.

 Muktar Said Ibrahim oversaw the production of the bombs. Hydrogen peroxide was boiled to 70% concentration.41
Met Police

Nearly 200 hydrogen peroxide bottles were found by police in communal bins at Curtis House.42

Met Police

41) Sam Knight, Defendant Turns Accuser at July 21 Trial, Times Online, March 22, 2007. 42) Bottles Found at Bomb Factory', BBC, February 1, 2007.

Hydrogen peroxide bottles found in Yassin Omars apartment

Met Police

The plotters utilized chapatti flour as an accelerant

Met Police

Note: The flour was purchased on July 18, 2005 by Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman. See: Timeline: 21 July Bomb Plot, BBC, July 10, 2007

Met M Police

Met M Police

A cardboard tube packed with Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) served as the detonator

A flashlight bulb sat inside the tube and was connected to a 9 volt battery43

43) Sam Knight, Defendant Turns Accuser at July 21 Trial, Times Online , March 22, 2007.

 The explosives were placed into 1.6 p p gallon plastic tubs.44 Washers, nuts, tacks, screws, and tacks were taped to the tubs. British prosecutor Nigel Sweeney commented, Th purpose i of d The is, f course, to increase fragmentation when the bomb explodes and maximize the possibility of injury fatal injury, or otherwise, to those in the vicinity. The bombs were then placed in backpacks; the plotters hid the detonators in their clothes.45
Asiedus unexploded device
Met Police

44) Kevin Sullivan and Karla Adam, Trial Opens in London Transit Bombing Plot, Washington Post, January 16, 2007. 45) Michael Holden, Militants plotted Second Wave of UK Bombs, Court Told, Reuters, January 15, 2007.

Five Liter Pyrex Lab Bottle

Yellow Glove

Tubing

Met Police

Bomb making paraphernalia discovered at Curtis House apartment

Met Police

Traces of peroxide were found on kitchenware at the Curtis House apartment

Met Police

Corrosion is evident on the stove s control panel at the Curtis House apartment stoves

Met Police

Authorities linked the yellow residue on this piece of furniture to the bombs

Launching the Attacks: The Final Preparations

 On July 15, 2005, Muktar Said Ibrahim reportedly tested a device. Throughout the evening of July 20 and the early morning of July 21, 2005, Muktar Said Ibrahim supervised the four other men as they constructed their bombs, sitting on bin liners at , g Ramzi Mohammeds residence.45 The morning of July 21, Ramzi Mohammed, Muktar Said Ibrahim, and Yassin Omar drove to the Stockwell Tube in Mohammeds car. The men Mohammed s then entered the station separately. Hussain Osman entered the Tube at Westbourne Park. Nigel Sweeney, British prosecutor: After the 7/7 bombings, security measures (including searches) b bi it (i l di h ) had been instituted on the public transport system in the rush hour. No doubt to avoid this the five defendants decided to attack at around lunchtime instead. Sweeney: At midday there was a call from Mohammads phone in the Stockwell area to Osmans mobile in Dalgarno Gardens. No doubt this was to synchronize the timings of those north and south of the river.46
46) Timeline: 21 July Bomb Plot, BBC, July 10, 2007 and Sean ONeill, 21/7: The Trial, Times Online, January 16, 2007.

Met Poli ice

Mohammed, Ibrahim, and Omar enter Stockwell Tube

Launching the Attacks: The Targets

Oval

White City

Shepherds Bush

Hackney Road

Warren Street

Oval Office

White Whit House

President P id t Bush

During the trial, when defense attorney Stephen Kamlish asked Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, "Did you think of any symbolism in the name of the stations?, Asiedu denied the accusation. Muktar Said Ibrahim also argued there was no p g plan behind the specific targets.47

47) No Symbolism in 21/7 Stations, BBC, March 28, 2007.

Ramzi Mohammed: Oval

Mohammed wore a shirt with New York written on it which, according to prosecutor Nigel it, hi h di t t Ni l Sweeney, was "no doubt connected with the events of 9/11."48 Angus Campbell, a passenger on the train, described what he experienced between the Stockwell and Oval stations while testifying in court: "There was an explosion. It was loud. My first memory was b i cowed. I was crouched in my being d h di seat and I remember my arm being over my headI remember looking up and I recall a man I know now as Mr. Mohammed was screaming and shouting and there was smoke i i f h i d h k issuing from hi his backI was shouting 'what have you done, what have you done?'" Referring to smoking debris on the subways floor, he said to Mohammed, what is that?" Mohammed answered "this i b d49 h ?" M h d d " hi is bread Mohammed also was saying to himself, this is wrong, this is wrong, when the device malfunctioned. malfunctioned 50
48) Alan Cowell, Britain Tries 6 in Bomb Plot That Fizzled, New York Times, January 16, 2007. 49) Mother Tells of Tube Bomb Terror, BBC, January 30, 2007. 50) Sally Peck and Matthew Moore, 72-Year-Old Ex-Soldier Chased Alleged Bomber, The Daily Telegraph, January 24, 2007. Met Police e

Ramzi Mohammed attempts to detonate his bomb at the Oval station

Ramzi Mohammed: Oval

Met Police

Mohammed flees after his device fails to detonate

Ramzi Mohammed: Oval

Met Police

Mohammed manages to escape after his device fails to detonate

Ramzi Mohammed: Oval

The train Mohammed attempted to blow up

Mohammeds discarded backpack

Met Police

Ramzi Mohammed: Oval

The interior of the train Mohammed attempted to blow up

The shrapnel Mohammed added to the device

Met Police

Yassin Omar: Warren Street

Yassin

Omar boarded a Victoria Line train from Stockwell. Then, at 12:37pm, Omar attempted to detonate his bomb as his train was between Oxford Circus and Warren Street. The device failed and he fled.
Yassin Omar waiting on the platform

Met Police

The interior of the train Omar attempted to blow up

Yassin Omar: Warren Street

Met Police

The interior of the train Omar attempted to blow up

Omars discarded device; the substance was so potent it burnt through two layers of gloves it worn by one of the forensic experts on the scene.51
51) Alan Cowell, Britain Tries 6 in Bomb Plot That Fizzled, New York Times, January 16, 2007.

Yassin Omar: Warren Street

Met Police e

Omars discarded backpack

Items in Omars discarded backpack

Yassin Omar: Warren Street

Met Police

Yassin Omar flees the scene of the bombing

Hussain Osman: Shepherds Bush As the Met Police explained, Hussain Osman detonated his device on [the] Hammersmith and City line trainbetween Latimer Road and Shepherd's Bush underground stations Shepherd s stations. A woman on the train testified in court that she heard a noise and saw Osman fall on his back. She id he b k Sh said, h was i a position like J in i i lik Jesus when nailed to the cross, with his arms out to the sides. Another witness testified that Osman then failed in his effort to climb on the trains roof and jumped onto the tracks instead: It was like he was strolling in the park.52 park.

Met Pol lice 52) Bomb Plot Suspect Strolled Away, BBC, January 26, 2007.

Hussain Osman enters Westbourne Park station

Hussain Osman: Shepherds Bush

Me Police et

The interior of the train Osman attempted to blow up

Osmans discarded bag

Hussain Osman: Shepherds Bush

Met Police

Osman and female

Osman and female

Items in Osmans discarded backpack Osman s

Hussain Osman: Shepherds Bush

Met Police

Hussain Osman

Osmans gym membership card O b hi d (front and back) Items in Osmans discarded backpack

Muktar Said Ibrahim: Hackney Road

Muktar Said Ibrahim took a train from Stockwell to Bank station and boarded a number 26 bus. He took a seat on the top level and, shortly after 1pm, attempted to detonate his device on Shoreditch High Street, near Hackney Road Although the detonator Road. functioned, the main charge failed.51 The bus driver, Mark Maybanks, testified in court that a "loud bang made him think he loud bang" had been in a traffic accident. Upon further investigation, he discovered Ibrahim s Ibrahims backpack "oozing out of the sides. oozing sides Ibrahim fled the bus.52

Met Police

Muktar Said Ibrahim M kt S id Ib hi on the th number 26 bus

51) Sean O'Neil, 21/7: The Trial, The Times, January 16, 2007. 52) Bus Bomb Bid CCTV Show to Jury, BBC, January 29, 2007.

Muktar Said Ibrahim: Hackney Road

Met Police o

The interior of the number 26 bus Muktar Said Ibrahim attempted to blow up

Ibrahims discarded device

Manfo Kwaku Asiedu: Little Wormword Scrubs

Asiedu lost his nerve at the last moment, according to British prosecutors. He purportedly was to attack the White City subway station. Asiedu left his bomb in a wooded area in Little Wormwood Scrubs in west London.53

Met Police

Met Pol lice

Asiedu with his device

Manfo Asiedus discarded device

53) Metropolitan Police and 21/7 Suspect Desperate Man, BBC, May 11, 2007.

The Aftermath: Police Appeal for Assistance

 At a press conference the day after the failed bombings, Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said: This is the greatest operational challenge ever faced by the Metropolitan Police Service Service. Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman added, I am urgently seeking the public's assistance Do you recognise any of these men? Did you see them at the three underground stations or on the bus? Did you see them at a different location? Did you see these men together before or after the incidents? Did you see th them with anyone ith else?54

Poster issued by police on July 22nd

54) Police Release CCTV Images, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, July 22, 2005.

Met Police

Pictures released to the public by the Metropolitan Police

The Aftermath: The Killing of Jean Charles de Menezes

BBC

In the definitive account of the incident, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) reported that at 10:06hrs on Friday 22 July 2005 at during the course of a major Metropolitan Police antiterrorist operationa number of undercover surveillance officersand a number of armed firearms officersfollowed Jean Charles De Menezes onto the northbound Northern Li platform at S k ll hb dN h Line l f Stockwell Underground station. Mr De Menezes had been under surveillance since 09:33hrs that morning when he left a block of flats at 21 Scotia Road, London, SW 21. Mr De Menezes stepped into the third coach of a pp stationary train and within moments twoofficers, aiming at his head, shot and killed him. It was their professed belief that he was a suicide bomber. The IPCC added that De Menezes had been De followed from 21 Scotia Road in the erroneous belief that he was one Hussain Osman, a man suspected of having been responsible for a failed suicide bomb attack at Shepherds Bush underground station the previous day. Jean Charles De M i d J Ch l D Menezes h d nothing had thi to do with terrorism and was, at the time of his death, travelling to work from his home address. He was unarmed; he was not carrying an explosive device.55

CPS/Press Association

A composite image of Hussain Osman and Jean Charles de Menezes

55) Investigation into the Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Underground Station on 22 July 2005, Independent Police Complaints Commission January 26, 2006.

The Aftermath: The Bombers Flight and Capture

Yassin Omar

On July 22, Yassin Omar traveled to Birmingham by bus. He was disguised in a black burqa, which he took from his mother-in law. He testified during his trial that she g had lots of them.56

Met Police

Omar at Digbeth Coach Station, Birmingham on July 22nd

56) I Fled Police in My Mother-in-Law's Burka, Says 21/7 Bombing Suspect, The Evening Standard, May 4, 2007.

Yassin Omar
At 5:00am on July 27, police raided a home on

Heybarnes Road in Birmingham. Police lobbed stun grenades into each room. Omar was standing in a bathtab wearing a backpack. Omar testified, If they saw I had a rucksack on me then they would think twice before they shot me, and it worked. Allah answered my supplication. d li ti House on Heybarnes Road, Birmingham at which Omar was arrested Police feared that he had a bomb and a violent struggle ensued. Omar was tasered, while another officer punched him as hard as he could in the face. One officer testified In all honesty I still testified, In honesty, don't know to this day how I did not shoot himI brought the point of my aim to the back of his head, during which time his hands disappeared towards his chest...I formed the opinion that I was going to have to shoot this man.57
57) Police Almost Shot' 21/7 Suspect, BBC, February 19, 2007 and 'Allah Instructed' 21/7 Suspect , BBC, May 10, 2007.

Met Police

Bathtub in which Omar was standing when he was arrested

Yassin Omar

Garden at Heybarnes Road

Garden at Heybarnes Road

Met Po olice

Bucket

Cell phone charger

Islamic tapes

Islamic tapes

Items in the backpack Omar was wearing at the time of his arrest

Hussain Osman
After failing to detonate his bomb and jumping g j p g

onto the train tracks, Hussain Osman entered the house of Mellinda and Lola Henry, whose house sits next to rail lines. After climbing in their dining room window, he window told them he was just passing through. He then took a bus from North Pole Road, west London to Wandsworth, south London.58 That same day, Osman traveled to Brighton by car. He spent two days there. Upon returning to London, he spent the next 72 hours mapping out his escape to Rome, h i hi R where his brother resided. On July 26, he traveled to Paris on the Eurostar; he then continued on to Rome. He was arrested in Rome on July 29th.59
Met Police

Osmans escape on July 21st captured on CCTV

58) Bomb Plot Suspect Strolled Away, BBC, January 26, 2007. 59) Terror Suspect Shown Fleeing' UK, ITV, March 8, 2007.

Hussain Osman

Met Police

Osman at Brighton Railway station on July 23rd

Osman at Waterloo station on July 25th

Hussain Osman

Met Police

Osmans Waterloo to Paris ticket

Osmans Paris to Rome ticket

Hussain Osman

Met Police

Osmans bag seized in Rome

The camcorder had no memory card; authorities b li th iti believe it was used t record d to d 60 martyrdom videos

60) Terror Suspect Shown Fleeing' UK, ITV, March 8, 2007 and Accomplices to Terror, BBC, February 4, 2008.

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim After the failed bombings, Ramzi bombings Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim went into hiding at Mohammeds apartment: Flat14, Block K, Dalgarno Gardens.

On July 29th, police tracked them down. When the men did not respond to attempts to negotiate, the front door was blown off and CS gas was thrown bl ff d th inside. Mohammed and Ibrahim were arrested after a 2 hour siege that was partially captured on police videotape.61
Met M Police

The shattered door at Dalgarno Gardens

61) 21/7 Suspects Arrest Video Shown , BBC, February 21, 2007.

Ramzi M h R i Mohammed and M kt S id Ibrahim d d Muktar Said Ib hi

Met Police

Stills from the police video of the arrest of Mohammed and Ibrahim

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Police

The terrace on which Mohammed and Ibrahim were arrested

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Police

A homemade spear consisting of knives, a mop handle, and shoelace; the weapon was never used on police

See: Philippe Naughton, Four Convicted over 21/7 Bomb Plot, Times Online, July 9, 2007.

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Police

The interior of the Dalgarno Gardens apartment g p

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Polic ce

The interior of the Dalgarno Gardens apartment

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met Po olice

Headband possibly used in bombers martyrdom video, which was never found

Banner possibly used in bombers martyrdom video, which was never found

Items found inside the Dalgarno Gardens apartment

Ramzi Mohammed and Muktar Said Ibrahim

Met P Police

Suicide note written by Ramzi Mohammed Item found inside the Dalgarno Gardens apartment g p

Text of Ramzi Mohammeds suicide note

"First of all I beg Allah to accept this action from me and he to Allah to whom belongs the power and majesty makes it a sincere one and that he admits me to the highest station in p paradise for verily he g y grants martyrdom to whom ever he y wills. Secondly my family don't cry for but instead rejoice in happiness and love what I have done for the sake of Allah for he loves those who fight in his sake sake. I pray to Allah the mighty that he keeps your heart sealed to this religion. My family practice your religion and hold tight to the rope of Allah and don't let go. Pray your five daily prayers so that you may be saved from hell and by the permission of Allah I may intercede for you, if he Allah allows to whom belongs the power and the majesty. My children be good Muslims and obey your mother. Pray My your prayers and read Quran. Adam look after your little brother Malik and we shall meet again in paradise god willing. May Allah keep your mothers heart sealed to this religion. Praise be upon you. Gods blessing and mercy.62 -- Ramzi Mohammed

Met Police

Suicide note written by Ramzi Mohammed R iM h d

62) London Bomb Suspect's Suicide Note, Reuters, July 9, 2007.

Manfo Kwaku Asiedu After dumping his device in Little Wormword Scrubs Asiedu boarded the Scrubs, number 94 bus on Goldhawk Road at approximately 1:30pm. He rode the bus for nearly 70 minutes and exited near Oxford Circus. He then entered Funland where he was Funland, confronted by security who searched his bag. After the search, he left and walked towards Piccadilly Circus. On July 22nd, he worked with Ibrahim and Omar to clean up the Curtis House apartment and hide all evidence of bomb making.
Met Police

Asiedu at Funland located in Funland, Trocadero Center, London

Asiedu turned himself in to police on July 26th. 26th 63

63) Fifth Bomber Went to Arcade, BBC, March 16, 2007. and Timeline: 21 July Bomb Plot, BBC, July 10, 2007.

The Trial of the Bombers

The Fake Bomb/ Iraq Protest Defense

Y i Omar testified: "I was thinking of some way to get the government's attention. The best Yassin O ifi d hi ki f h ' i Th b example was Fathers4Justice and I thought I would try something like thatSince Fathers4Justice used flour we decided we were going to use flour as well - that's where the idea came from." (Fathers4Justice threw purple flour at the Prime Minister in May 2004). Omar: I intended the detonator to go off and only to make a popping noiseIt happened exactly as I expected. Omar: "I hoped that this would be televised, would be shown on TV and taken seriously and that would put pressure on the government after they realized that people have gone to these lengths just to do a demonstration on Iraq...In due course the public would be talking about it and put pressure on the governmentWe hoped that the government would change its foreign policy and pull troops out of this illegal war.64 When asked whether he intended to use viable explosives, Muktar Said Ibrahim said, No, just something like a firework, a firecracker - something that would make noise and cause panic. Regarding his goal, Ibrahim said, "To end the occupation. The planning purportedly began in September 2004. He added, I didn't think that I would be in that much trouble. Ibrahim admitted he and Mohammed synchronized their stories in the event of their capture.65

64) 65)

Fathers Protest Isnpired 21/7, BBC, May 3, 2007 and 21 July Suspect Meant No Harm', BBC, May 3, 2007. Matt Weaver and agencies, July 21 Attacks Planned Year Before, Court Hears, The Guardian, March 19, 2007.

 The prosecution countered by demonstrating that the bombs were, in fact, highly viable. All four of the TATP detonators fired successfully but the main charge failed. Explosives expert Claire McGavigan testified that the explosive was as powerful as TNT and the bombs could have fired shrapnel at "hundreds of meters a second. According to McGavigan, it appears that the most likely reason was that the initiator containing the TATP wasn't actually powerful enough to set off the main charge66 g Prosecutor Nigel Sweeney added it was simply the good fortune of the traveling public that they were spared.67

66) Bomb Material As Strong as TNT' , BBC, January 24, 2007 and Michael Holden, Militants Plotted Second Wave of UK Bombs, Court Told, Reuters, January 15, 2007. 67) Kevin Sullivan and Karla Adam, Trial Opens in London Transit Bombing Plot, Washington Post, January 16, 2007.

Met Police

The Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) carried out tests on explosives similar to those utilized on 7/21; this is the DSTL test site in Kent. Notably, the DSTL did not use TATP because, as one expert testified, No-one at No one this point in the world had actually tried putting an improvised detonator containing TATP in an improvised explosive mixture - it's just too dangerous."

Met Po olice

The tests carried out by the Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory

Met Police

The scene following a DSTL test

The base-plate used in the DSTL test

Manfo Kwaku Asiedus Defense

Asiedu claimed during his testimony that he only learned his co-conspirators were planning a suicide attack on July 21, 2005. He testified, I was not aware of any plan at all, whether it was suicide bombing or not suicide bombing. He turned against his co-defendants on the stand, blaming Muktar Said Ibrahim for manipulating him into believing the bombs would be hoax devices. He asserted he assisted with the bomb making because he was "terrified" and acting "just like a zombie . terrified just zombie" When he surrendered to police, he told a series of lies, including not telling them his real name, religion or background, about buying the peroxide or what he did after the attacks had failed. He admitted, It is unbelievable when I look back at these lies...I lied about the whole day of July 21. y y He further claimed he returned to the Curtis House apartment and dismantled a boobytrap piece of furniture that had been lined with explosives. Prosecutor Max Hill challenged Asiedu's integrity: "Asiedu waited until the end of the Crown's evidence before revealing what he now says is his truthful account as to the real suicide and murder plot He was content to sit plotHe and wait through week after week of prosecution evidence, seeing, you may think, whether the case did indeed stand upThey are desperate men and desperate men will do anything if they perceive it to be in their own interest."68 And the Metropolitan Police said, he was actively involved in this conspiracy: he helped to purchase large amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which was used i the d i fh d id hi h d in h devices and set out on the 21 J l carrying hi b b i a d h July i his bomb in rucksack. He is a dedicated terrorist who consistently lied about the role he played in this plot.69 Prosecutor Nigel Sweeney said Asiedu was chosen to buy the hydrogen peroxide because he was the best liar amongst the group.70

68) Defendant Turns Accuser at July 21 Trial, Times Online, March 22, 2007 and 21/7 Suspect Lied on Epic Scale, BBC, April 27, 2007 and Profile: Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, BBC, November 9, 2007. 69) 21/7 Bomb Conspirator Jailed, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, November 20, 2007. 70) 21/7 Suspect Lied on Epic Scale, BBC, April 27, 2007.

The Verdicts

Five Convictions
Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed, and Hussain Osman were convicted of conspiracy to murder in July 2007 and sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison before they can seek parole.71 A jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge of conspiracy t murder for Manfo Kwaku j bl t h di t th h f i to d f M f K k Asiedu. On November 9, 2007, before he could face a retrial, he pled guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life. He was sentenced to 33 y p y g years in p prison.72

Exactly two weeks after the terrorist attacks on 7/7 these men targeted the same transport system and tried to cause the same level of death and destruction. They knew what would happen; they had seen the devastation produced by 7/7 and the fact that they continued with their plan shows their brutal intent intent. - Susan Hemming, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division These men obviously set out to replicate the horrors that had been inflicted on Londoners on 7 July 2005. But this was no spur of the moment plan - it had been hatched over several months They failed to set off their bombs - not through want months. of trying. - Peter Clarke, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service

71) Four 21/7 Terrorists Guilty of Murder Conspiracy, Crown Prosecution Service Press Release, July 11, 2007. 72) 21/7 Bomb Conspirator Jailed, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, November 20, 2007.

The Support Network

 Born in September 1982 in Ethiopia. Raised in Yemen. Moved to England in 1991 with his sister. In 2004, he married in Yemen. Attended Southgate College and London Metropolitan University. Pursued a degree in computer networking. Met Yassin Omar at school. Attended lectures by Abu Hamza al-Masri at Finsbury Park mosque with Omar. Attended the May 2004 trip to the Cumbria training camp. As the BBC explains, Yahya was tasked with identifying the best sources of concentrated hydrogen peroxideHe visited a cosmetics shop in Finsbury Park, north London, twice in May and June 2005, to make inquiries about hydrogen p , q y g peroxideHe asked shop assistants about the available strength of the bleach and whether they could supply up to 100 litres. Claimed that he thought Omar and Asiedu needed the hydrogen peroxide to decorate a house house. Adel Yahya
Met Police

Yahya: I swear to God I had nothing to do with 21 July.73

73) 21/7 Suspect Shocked by Arrests, BBC, May 30, 2007 and Profile: Adel Yahya , BBC, November 13, 2007.

 Traveled to Yemen with his wife on June 11, 2005. Then flew to Ethiopia on July 18 18. Arrested on November 29, 2005 by Ethiopian authorities at the request of the British. Questioned by British police in December 2005. Authorities in Ethiopia seized a CD with a 97 chapter document on it. According to the BBC One chapter listed details of BBC, One explosives; another chemicals and a third book titles, including Aircraft Safety, Terrorist Target Selection, Biological Warfare, Chemical Warfare Agents and Jihad: The Origin of the Holy War in Islam. Another chapter, about chemicals and f ili d fertiliser, i l d d 29 sources of h d included f hydrogen peroxide i id in 74 concentrations of 27.5% to 50%. Yahya faced a conspiracy to murder charge with Ibrahim, Mohammed, Omar, Hussain, and Asiedu, but a jury was unable to reach a verdict. He pled guilty to collecting information of a kind likely to be useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism and was sentenced to six years and nine months in p y prison.75 Adel Yahya
Met Police 74) 21/7 Accused Had Explosive List', BBC, May 31, 2007 and Megan Levy and agencies, July 21 Terror Suspect Jailed for Six Years, The Telegraph, November 6, 2007. 75) Adam Fresco and Sean ONeill, Last 21/7 Plotter Admits Role in Failed Attack, The Times, November 10, 2007.

 Born in Somalia. Ramzi Mohammeds brother. As the Metropolitan Police explained, Mohammed: knew there were plans to bomb London and failed to alertthe authorities. was present at 14k Dalgarno Gardens, W10 on the morning of 21 July before the bombers prepared to set off to carry out the attacks. (Prosecutor Max Hill said, the Crown s Crowns case is that it is inconceivable that Wahbi Mohamed would have been invited to the flat that morning unless he knew what was about to occur.) took possession of a video camera - believed to have been used to make the bombers'' suicide videos at Dalgarno d k h b b i id id D l Gardens - and also took Ramzi Mohammeds suicide letter intended for his family. after the attackshelped Ramzi Mohammed by taking him p y g food and other items [a cell phone] as Ramzi remained in hiding with Ibrahim at Dalgarno Gardens. Had the attacks succeeded, he reportedly would have distributed the martyrdom messages to the media media. Wahbi Mohammed
Met Police

Convicted and jailed for 17 years in February 2008.76

76) Profiles of the Five July 21 Accomplices, Times Online, February 4, 2008 and Five Jailed for Assisting Terrorists, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, February 4, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Five Who Aided July 21 Bombers Sentenced, The Telegraph, February 5, 2008.

 Spent time being raised by the same foster family as Yassin Omar and became friends with him. Lived in the apartment above Omar at Curtis House. Muktar Said Ibrahim lived in the apartment with him. According to the Metropolitan Police, Ali knew there were plans to bomb London and failed to alert..the authorities. Following the failed attacks, he helped clean up incriminating evidence of bomb making in Omars apartment. He also helped Ibrahim move some of his property. property Police discovered handwritten notes about bomb making torn up in his garbage can. One note included the words detonator, charge and Allah. Wire 10m, bulb with lid, batteries, nail remover and bulb-hole was also written. Ibrahim left a notepad in Alis apartment on which he wrote: 1) Clear and definite goal 2) Realistic ambition 3) Useful to society, country and Islam 4) To believe in the goal 5) Qualities: a) hope and optimism b) patience, patience and patience c) exerting an effort (a goal without an effort equals dreams) d) ability to imagine details of a goal e) dependence on God f) Martyrdom in the Path of God." A Pak Cosmetics business card was seized from the apartment.77 Convicted and jailed for 12 years in February 2008.78 j y y

Siraj Yassin Abdullah Ali

Met Police 77) Natalie Paris and agencies, Bomb Plot Helper' Had 'List of Bomb Parts', The Daily Telegraph, November 4, 2007 and Profiles of the Five July 21 Accomplices, Times Online, February 4, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Five Who Aided July 21 Bombers Sentenced, The Telegraph, February 5, 2008. 78) Five Jailed for Assisting Terrorists, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, February 4, 2008.

 Born in Somalia. Hussain Osmans brother. Described as euphoric following the 7/7 bombings; told a bartender it has to be like this. Gave his brother his passport so he could escape to Italy. H l d secure a safe h Helped f house f O for Osman i Rome.79 in R Convicted and jailed for 10 years in February 2008.78

Sherifs passport Abdul Sherif

Met Police 79) Profiles of the Five July 21 accomplices, Times Online, February 4, 2008 and 80) Five Jailed for Assisting Terrorists, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, February 4, 2008 and The Accomplices to Terror, BBC, February 4, 2008.

 Friends with Hussain Osman, Osmans wife, Ramzi Mohammed, and Wahbi M h M h d d W hbi Mohammed. d According to the Times Online, Osman gave Ali extremist material, mainly cassette tapes of radical preaching, on the night of July 20. H also h ld R hi th i ht f J l 20 He l held Ramzi i Mohammeds suicide note in a cupboard in his hall, after it was passed to him by Wahbi on the morning of July 21. Police believed this proved how close Ali was to the bombers. They believed only those who realised it b b Th b li d l th h li d its significance could be trusted. After the attacks Ali offered Osman a safe house in London while he was on the run. Police tracked several telephone calls between Osman, Ali and the Mohammed brothers brothers. Convicted and jailed for 7 years in February 2008.79

Muhedin Ali

Met Police

79) Profiles of the Five July 21 Accomplices, Times Online, February 4, 2008 and Five Jailed for Assisting Terrorists, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, February 4, 2008

 According to the Metropolitan Police, Abdurahman: provided Hussain Osman with a safe-house after the attacks. He allowed Osman to stay with him at his home at 61 Newport Street, SE11 until Osman fled the country on 26 July 2005. acted as a runner for him, retrieving the video camera, believed to have been used to recorded the suicide videos; and Osman's brother's passport for him to use to escape to Italy, Italy he also attempted to buy a Eurostar ticket for Osman the night before his departure for Rome. After boarding his train to Paris, Osman called Abdurahman. C Convicted and jailed for 10 years in February 2008 80 i d d j il d f i F b 2008.

Ismail Abdurahman

Met Police

80) Profiles of the Five July 21 Accomplices, Times Online, February 4, 2008 and Five Jailed for Assisting Terrorists, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, February 4, 2008.

 Born to a Catholic diplomat from Ethiopia; attended boarding school in Italy. Muslim convert. Italy convert Hussain Osmans wife; has three children with him. According to the Metropolitan Police, Girmahad prior knowledge of the planned terrorist attacks, yet failed to alert the authorities; and after the attacks actively helped her husband escape and tried to mislead the police in their enquiries to find him. The misinformation included giving police a false name and cell phone number for her husband husband. After the failed attack, Girma and her brother Esayas drove Osman to their sisters (Mulu) home in Brighton; the sister then tended to Osmans injuries from the botched bombing. Convicted in June 2008 of assisting an offender, not disclosing information about acts of terrorism, having prior knowledge of the planned attacks, and failing to pass information to the authorities. Sentenced to 15 years in p y prison. Dismissing Girmas assertion that she was estranged from Omar, Judge Paul Worsely said, you already shared Osman's extreme views on Islam and co-ordinated the escape plan for the father of your three children after he p p y failed to achieve his sought-after place in paradise."81 Yeshi Girma
Met Police 81) Family Members Convicted of Helping Terrorist, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, June 11, 2008 and Wife of 21 July Plotter Convicted, BBC, June 11, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Wife of 21/7 Bomber Jailed for 15 Years, The Daily Telegraph, June 12, 2008.

 Yeshi Girmas brother; Hussain Osmans brother-in-law. According to the Metropolitan Police, Esayas Girmawas a regular visitor to Osman's home at Blair House, Stockwell. After the attacks he actively helped Osman escape and provided a mobile phone in an attempt to evade detection by the authorities. As noted previously, he was with Yeshi when she drove Osman to their sisters (Mulu) home in Brighton shortly after the attacks attacks. Convicted in June 2008 of assisting an offender and not disclosing information about acts of terrorism. Sentenced to 10 years in prison.82

Esayas Girma

Met Police

82) Family Members Convicted of Helping Terrorist, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, June 11, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Wife of 21/7 Bomber Jailed for 15 Years, The Daily Telegraph, June 12, 2008.

 Yeshi and Esayas Girmas sister; Hussain Osmans sister-in-law. One-time model who participated in the Miss Brighton competition. According to the Metropolitan Police, Girma put up Osman immediately after the attacks, treated his injuries and helped move him to a second safe-house during the massive police hunt to trace him. She also attempted to dispose of clothing worn by Osman in nearby woodland. Convicted in June 2008 of assisting an offender and not disclosing information about acts of terrorism. Sentenced to 10 years in prison.83

Mulu Girma

Met Police

83) Family Members Convicted of Helping Terrorist, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, June 11, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Wife of 21/7 Bomber Jailed for 15 Years, The Daily Telegraph, June 12, 2008.

 Married Mulu Girma days after the 7/21 attacks. According to the Metropolitan Police, he assisted Osman in Brighton where he made arrangements to harbour Osman at his girlfriend's and other addresses in Brighton. He then helped dispose of incriminating evidence against the failed bomber in a bid to disrupt the investigation to trace him. On February 19, 2008, pled guilty to assisting an offender and failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism in relation to Osman. Sentenced to 9 years in prison 84 Osman prison.

Mohammed Kabashi

Met Police

84) Family Members Convicted of Helping Terrorist, Metropolitan Police Service Press Release, June 11, 2008 and Duncan Gardham, Wife of 21/7 Bomber Jailed for 15 Years, The Daily Telegraph, June 12, 2008.

Key Takeaways

 The failed attacks, which came two weeks after the 7/7 suicide bombings and at a time / g of enhanced physical security on Londons transportation system, highlight the inherent vulnerability of rail and bus lines. There is no clear open-source evidence indicating the 7/7 and 7/21 bombings were p g / / g coordinated operations. Nonetheless, it bears noting that Muktar Said Ibrahim was in Pakistan at the same time as 7/7 bombers Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer. While it is unclear if they met, they returned with highly specialized bombmaking knowledge. g g Brits of Pakistani descent have been responsible for many of the plots targeting England since 9/11, including 7/7. The 7/21 plotters, who hailed from Africa, are thus a departure from this trend. As has happened numerous times following 9/11, a terrorist training camp in Pakistan helped prepare jihadists to strike the West. And as the camp in Cumbria demonstrates, would-be terrorists have also found innovative ways to ready themselves without traveling overseas. Abu Hamza al-Masri, Mohammed Hamid, and Atilla Ahmet played a central role in radicalizing the bombers, as did jihadist propaganda and the camping trip to Cumbria. As with many other terrorist attacks, a support network assisted the plotters.

Update: December 2008

 In March 2005, a telephone linked to Yassin Omar called Rangzieb Ahmed 85 Ahmed. In December 2008, Ahmed was convicted in England for directing terrorism as a member of Al-Qaida. Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Porter stated, "We believe that he was intent on masterminding terrorist attacks and would have considered mass murder part of his duty. We don't know where Rangzieb's next target would have been, been or what exactly he was working towards, but we are towards sure he was attack-planning. What we do know is that he and [his co-defendant] Habib Ahmed had close contact with Al-Qaidas senior figures, and were arranging for British citizens to visit terrorist camps and meet those willing to fund f d terrorism. Th i There i no d b R is doubt Rangzieb Ah d was at i b Ahmed the centre of the Al-Qaida web, and was using his position to manipulate people, drawing them in too.86 Rangzieb Ahmed and his co-defendant Habib Ahmed, who was g , also convicted on terrorism charges, have been linked to numerous other radicals, including one-time Al-Qaida number three Hamza Rabia, Mamoun Darkazanli, Khalid Habib, Yassin Omar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Abdul Rahman, Aslam Awan, Mohammed Zillur Rahman Omar Bakri Abdul Rashid Ghazi, Rahman, Bakri, Ghazi Maulana Shah Abdullah Aziz, and Shah Mehboob Elahi.87
85) Links to Global Terror Network, Manchester Evening News, December 18, 2008. 86) Leading al Qaeda Member Convicted, Greater Manchester Police Press Release, December 19, 2008. 87) Links to Global Terror Network, Manchester Evening News, December 18, 2008.

Greater Manchester Police

Rangzieb Ahmed