Muslim extremists recruiting from UK jails: Report

Two of Britain's most high-profile Muslim extremists have been given free rein to recruit fellow inmates in prison and are spreading propaganda from behind bars.

Two of Britain’s most high-profile Muslim extremists have been given free rein to recruit fellow inmates in prison and are spreading propaganda from behind bars,a think-tank founded by two former Islamic radicals said on Monday.

London-based Quilliam Foundation said in a report that Muslim cleric Abu Qatada – once described as Osama bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe – managed to smuggle out extremist propaganda from prison with the help of visitors,who then spread his message on the Internet.

It said that another radical preacher,Abu Hamza al-Masri – the one-eyed,hook-handed cleric whose extradition is being sought by the United States – was able to hold sermons through the pipes that link cells. It said another inmate used his allotted phone calls to speak to an Islamic TV station.

Britain holds convicted terrorists in several high-security prisons,including the notorious Belmarsh prison in London. A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said the conditions under which they are held depend on individual cases.