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Parole Board Approves Early Release of Terrorist Zahid Iqbal

2/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Parole Board approved Zahid Iqbal's release three years early.
Iqbal planned an al-Qaeda-inspired attack using a remote-controlled toy car.
He was arrested in 2013 and sentenced to 16 years for preparing acts of terrorism.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urged Justice Secretary David Lammy to veto the decision, citing extremism concerns.
The Parole Board said decisions focus on risk to the public and whether that risk is manageable.

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Story summary

The Parole Board approved Zahid Iqbal's release three years early.
Iqbal planned an al-Qaeda-inspired attack using a remote-controlled toy car.
He was arrested in 2013 and sentenced to 16 years for preparing acts of terrorism.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urged Justice Secretary David Lammy to veto the decision, citing extremism concerns.
The Parole Board said decisions focus on risk to the public and whether that risk is manageable.