Counter Terror Business - World

Man charged with crimes against humanity after CTP investigation

Polly Jones — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:26:54 +0000

Following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing’s War Crimes Unit, a former Syrian colonel has been charged with crimes against humanity.

The man is a Syrian national who now lives in Buckinghamshire.

Salem Al-Salem has been charged with a Postal Charge Requisition in relation to international crimes allegedly committed in Syria. He has been charged in relation to his time working in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence (AFI) in Damascus.

Al-Salem has been charged with three three counts of murder as a crime against humanity (CAH), three counts of torture, and one offence of conduct ancillary to murder as a CAH.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 10 March and is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 13 March.

The charges relate to demonstrations which took place in the suburbs of Damascus, Syria, from April 2011. It is alleged that in his role Al-Salem led a group tasked with quelling the demonstrations in the Jobar area which lies east of the city’s centre.

The CTP War Crimes Team received a referral in November 2020 relating to allegations about an individual who served as a member of the Syrian armed forces during the early 2010s.

On 1 December 2021, officers from the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team visited an address in Buckinghamshire. A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of being involved in crimes against humanity and a search was also carried out at the address.

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads CTP London said:“This has been an incredibly complex and challenging investigation, involving enquiries across many countries.

“This has required close cooperation with a number of international partners, as well as our colleagues in the CPS.

“The charges are extremely serious and show that we fully support the UK’s ‘no safe haven’ policy in relation alleged war criminals. Where we are presented with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity that fall within our jurisdiction, then, as we have shown here, we will not hesitate to investigate those rigorously and robustly.”

Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division, said: “We have determined that a 58-year-old man should be prosecuted with charges of murder as a crime against humanity, and torture.

“Our prosecutors have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring seven offences under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

“We have worked closely with the War Crimes Team at the Metropolitan Police Service as they carried out their investigation.

“As always, we remind all concerned that proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham deproscribed

Polly Jones — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:21:31 +0000

An order has been laid in Parliament to deproscribe Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The government has made the decision to enable closer engagement with the new Syrian government and 'support UK foreign and domestic priorities, from counter-terrorism to migration and chemical weapons destruction'.

HTS was originally listed as an alias of proscribed organisation Al-Qa’ida in 2017.

The government said it will continue to press for genuine progress and hold the Syrian government accountable for its actions in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in Syria and the wider region.

The government said that the deproscription of HTS will support this government’s engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria, in turn reducing the threat to the UK and also support closer working with Syria to eliminate the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme.

The US has also removed HTS from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations earlier this year.

83 organisations are currently proscribed in the UK.

UK and Australia sign new defence partnership

Polly Jones — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:01:27 +0000

The UK and Australia have signed a new 50-year AUKUS treaty, to underpin the UK and Australian submarine programmes, support tens of thousands of jobs in the UK and Australia, enhance both nations’ industrial capacity, and deliver submarines.

The deal is expected to be worth £20 billion to the UK in exports over the next 25 years and create over 7,000 new jobs in the UK.

Defence Secretary, John Healey, said: "AUKUS is one of Britain’s most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home.

"This historic Treaty confirms our AUKUS commitment for the next half century. Through the Treaty, we are supporting high-skilled, well-paid jobs for tens of thousands of people in both the UK and Australia, delivering on our Plan for Change today and for the generations to come. There are people not yet born who will benefit from the jobs secured through this defence deal.

"Our deep defence relationship with Australia – from our work together to support Ukraine, share vital intelligence, and develop innovative technology – makes us secure at home and strong abroad."

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: "The UK-Australia relationship is like no other, and in our increasingly volatile and dangerous world, our anchoring friendship has real impact in the protection of global peace and prosperity.

"Our new bilateral AUKUS treaty is an embodiment of that - safeguarding a free and open Indo Pacific whilst catalysing growth for both our countries.

"This is how our government delivers the Plan for Change – protecting our national security and stability whilst generating jobs for Brits."

Healy and Lammy are due to travel to Australi aas the Carrier Strike Group and more than 3,000 British military personnel take part in the largest military exercise Australia has ever hosted.

They will meet their counterparts at the annual “Australia-UK Ministerial”, known as AUKMIN. They will also meet with businesses in Melbourne at the forefront of AUKUS. Then they will travel to Darwin where the Carrier Strike Group docks.

UK & Australia discuss digital defence

Polly Jones — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:46:14 +0000

Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Australia’s Chief of Joint Capabilities, and Major General Robert Watson from the Australian Defence Force’s Cyber Command have visited Strategic Command where they met with Commander General Sir Jim Hockenhull and Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes.

The group shared lessons from their 2023 defence review and discussed progress on the AUKUS partnership.

The visit addressed four main areas where both nations are adapting defence to address modern threats. Australia brings together cyber, space, intelligence and logistics teams under single commands, which allows different military specialities to work together more effectively. This approach mirrors what the UK wants to achieve through its Strategic Defence Review.

Lieutenant General Coyle and Major General Watson also visited the new UK Cyber Command facility at Ministry of Defence Corsham, where the group discussed how both the UK and Australia need specialist teams to tackle digital threats, working closer together on cyber defence and shared ways to protect military networks.

Thousands of Afghans secretly moved to UK after data breach

Polly Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:28:01 +0000

Thousands of Afghans were secretly moved to the UK, secretly, after their data was leaked.

In February 2022, personal details of around 19,000 people who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power were leaked. The data contained the names, contact details and some family information.

The then government only learned about the leak in August 2023 after some of the details appeared on Facebook.

A secret resettlement scheme was then set up for those on the list and 4,500 Afghans have arrived in the UK so far.

The leak and resettlement scheme were kept secret as the then government obtained a super-injunction. Details were only made public this week after a judge ordered the gagging order to be lifted.

It is believed that 600 Afghan soldiers included in the leak, and 1,800 of their family members, are still in Afghanistan. Those whose personal details were included in the leak were only made aware this week.

The secret scheme, known as the Afghan Relocation Route has already cost £400 million is expected to cost another £400-450 million. It is now being closed down, but relocation offers that have already been made will be honoured.

UN body rules Russia responsible for downing of MH17

Polly Jones — Wed, 14 May 2025 11:13:31 +0000

The United Nations aviation agency has ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine in 2014.

A majority of UN's Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council States decided that the Russian Federation breached Article 3bis of the Chicago Convention by using weapons against civil aircraft in flight which led to the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014.

All 298 people on board were killed when the plane was hit by a Russian-made missile as it was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

A dutch court ruled in 2022 that a Russian-controlled group was responsible for the downing of the plane - two Russians and a Ukrainian were convicted in absentia of murder. They have not served any time in prison.

In a statement, the UK government said: "Through this decision, the ICAO Council upholds respect for the Convention on International Civil Aviation and sets out important expectations in relation to the obligations on States to create safer skies and, moreover, that those who violate the rules set out under this Convention will be held to account.

"Most importantly, this decision helps secures justice for the families of the 298 people lost as a result of the downing of flight MH17, including 10 UK citizens, on 17 July 2014. It is also a salient reminder of Russia’s reckless and dangerous behaviour and its callous disregard for civilian lives.

"This is the first time the ICAO Council has taken a decision on the merits of an ICAO international legal dispute in its 80-year history, and the UK congratulates the clear leadership provided by ICAO to ensure the case was progressed robustly and transparently. The UK remains committed to supporting ICAO in its endeavours to uphold international law and to ensure our skies remain safe and secure."

PKK says it is disbanding

Polly Jones — Mon, 12 May 2025 09:58:53 +0000

Kurdish group the PKK, which is banned as a terrorist group in Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU, has announced that it is laying down its arms and disbanding.

In February, the group's leader called for the group to disband from jail. Abdullah Ocalan has been in solitary confinement in prison on an island in the Sea of Marmara since 1999.

Initially, the PKK aimed to create an independent homeland for Kurds, but has since moved more towards autonomy and greater rights for Kurds.

Over the last 40 years of conflict more than 40,000 people have been killed.

UK and New Zealand boost support to Ukraine

Meghan Shaw — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:20:57 +0000

Prime minister Keir Starmer and New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon are to boost support for Ukraine with new drone contract and extension to Operation Interfelx in a move to deepen British security and defence ties with New Zealand.

Mr Luxon’s visit to the UK earlier this week follows the two leaders meeting at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa last year.

New Zealand trainers have worked with the British to train more than 54,000 on Operation Interflex, which is the British-led scheme of training and supporting military forces in Ukraine. New Zealand confirmed that they will extend their support for the initiative in the UK until the end of 2025.

The British prime minister has also announced UK contracts worth £30 million for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand unscrewed vehicle manufacturer based in Hampshire to support Ukraine, which has created 45 new jobs.

This new arrangement, following one signed in 2015, follow both countries upping their defence spending: 2.5 per cent of UK GDP, and two per cent of New Zealand’s GDP.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:“Only by working with our friends and allies and protecting our national security will we be able to deliver on our Plan for Change, putting money back in the pockets of working people through highly skilled jobs - such as those we have announced today - a strong and resilient economy, and greater opportunity.

“From the beaches of Gallipoli, to the vital work we have been doing together on Operation Interflex and our support for Ukraine, the UK and New Zealand have stood shoulder-to-shoulder for generations in pursuit of peace and stability.

“As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, I am proud how much we are doing together to support our national and economic security – stepping up our defence spending, deploying our navies together in the Indo-Pacific, and continuing our work to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia.”

Stephen Lovegrove appointed special representative on AUKUS

Polly Jones — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:01:41 +0000

The prime minister has appointed Stephen Lovegrove as his special representative on AUKUS.

AUKUS is a security and defence partnership between the UK and Australia and the United States. The partnership will enable Australia to field a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo Pacific; strengthen the defence industrial bases of both the UK and the US; and accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies by all three countries.

The AUKUS submarine programme is set to generate 7,000 additional British jobs.

In his role, Sir Stephen will support the defence secretary and the national security adviser to drive the AUKUS programme forward.

He previously served as national security adviser at the time of the AUKUS announcement in 2021 and also as the prime minister’s defence industrial adviser, and as the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence.

Last year, Sir Stephen was commissioned to conduct a Review of the UK’s progress against its core commitments under AUKUS, identifying barriers to success, and setting out recommendations on how to �鶹�� further areas of opportunity, both nationally and with the US and Australia. These findings were presented to the prime minister and defence secretary earlier this year. The report will be shared with US and Australian partners and a public version released in due course.

Defence Secretary, John Healey said: "AUKUS is a historic partnership which reinforces peace and stability across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, and will also provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and investment in communities across the UK. It shows how defence can be an engine for growth across our three nations while keeping us secure at home, and strong abroad.

"Sir Stephen is fully committed to ensuring the UK plays a leading role within AUKUS and holds widely respected national security experience.

"I am very grateful to him for taking up this appointment and look forward to working closely with him and our partners in the US and Australia as we take the AUKUS partnership to new heights."

Sir Stephen Lovegrove, said: "When the AUKUS partnership was announced in 2021 it was regarded, rightly, as the most significant capability collaboration since the Mutual Defence Agreement of 1958.

"Since then, the strategic relevance of AUKUS has only increased. It is a uniquely powerful partnership which will develop and deliver cutting-edge capabilities, help to revitalise Britain’s defence industrial base and provide sustained employment for thousands of people across the UK, US and Australia.

"I am delighted to accept the role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS and I look forward to starting work immediately to help maximise the potential of this vital partnership."

UK further sanctions Putin's inner circle

Polly Jones — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:13:15 +0000

The UK has announced new sanctions against people with links to Putin's inner circle.

The announcement comes nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny.

The sanctions target high-profile figures working in the Russian Government, including Pavel Fradkov, a Russian Defence Minister and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Also sanctions is Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.

Two entities linked to Russia’s nuclear energy giant Rosatom have also been sanctioned, which are supporting Russia's military activity in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.”

"Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin’s attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin’s corrupt dealings globally.

"We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression."