Radical clerics could face treason charges

LONDON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Radical clerics who support or condone terrorism could be charged with treason under new laws being considered by the British government.

The Crown Prosecution Service's head of anti-terrorism is to discuss the proposals with officers at Scotland Yard over the next few days.

However, the government's reviewer of anti-terror laws, Lord Carlile, said he did not think it would be appropriate to bring treason charges. Existing laws such as solicitation or incitement to murder could be used, he told the BBC.

Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith and Director of Public Prosecutions Ken MacDonald are considering charges against three people -- Omar Bakri Mohammed, founder of militant Islamist group al-Muhajiroun, Abu Uzair, a former member of the group, and Abu Izzadeen, a spokesman for the group al-Ghurabaa (the Strangers.)

Bakri has called on Muslims in Britain to take up jihad, and said he would not inform police if he knew a bomb attack was being planned.

Abu Izzadeen told BBC2's Newsnight the July 7 bombings were "mujahedin activity" which would make people "wake up and smell the coffee."

And Abu Uzair told the same program the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against New York and Washington were "magnificent."