Johnson Vows to End Early Release for Terrorism Act Convicts After London Knife Attacks

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday promised to revise the United Kingdom’s system of early release for individuals convicted of terrorist offences after two recent attacks in London committed by men who served only half of their prison sentences.

Speaking at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, the prime minister made reference to Sunday’s knife attack by Sudesh Amman in Streatham that injured three people and November’s deadly attack on London Bridge by Usman Khan.

Both men were shot dead by police, and it was later revealed that both were previously convicted of Terrorism Act offences, but released early, as per UK law.

UK Police Officer Stands Next to Stabbing Incident Site in Streatham, South London

The prime minister stated that current UK law stipulating that convicts are eligible for early release halfway through their sentence must be changed.

The prime minister stated that Justice Secretary Robert Buckland is set to publish a document outlining the government’s proposals to toughen release procedures for those convicted of terrorist offences. However, lawmakers may face issues in changing the law to apply retroactively to the estimated 200 people in UK prisons convicted of terrorist offences who will be eligible for early release.

On Sunday, Sudesh Amman stabbed several pedestrians on Streatham High Road, south London. Government sources reportedly confirmed that Amman had been convicted of 13 terrorist offences. He was released days ago after serving half of his three-year sentence.

Sadiq Khan, Boris Johnson, and Jeremy Corbyn at London Bridge Vigil

Amman’s attack follows that of Usman Khan on 29 November, who stabbed five people on London Bridge in central London. Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, two prison advocacy workers, were killed by Khan, who served eight years of a 16-year sentence before being released.

Sourse: sputniknews.com