Terror suspects' charges dropped

West Midlands Police say evidence could not be prepared in time

Four men arrested on a string of terrorism charges have had the case against them dropped by the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

Usman Choudhary, 23, Omar Ijaz, 24, both from Dudley, and Madasser al Hussan and Arshad Farid, both 26 and from Luton, were arrested in December.

They were accused of receiving training in making firearms and explosives.

West Midlands Police say the charges were dropped earlier this month because evidence could not be prepared in time.

Chemical weapons

Mr Farid, Mr Choudhary and Mr Ijaz were also accused of receiving training in the making of chemical and biological weapons.

Mr Choudhary faced 12 charges, including an allegation of having information likely to be useful to terrorism.

The men were held as part of a nationwide anti-terrorism operation.

A West Midlands Police statement said: "The charges in question related to acts of being involved in possessing articles or receiving or giving instruction relating to the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.

"[The men] had been on police bail before the notices of discontinuance which were issued because court deadlines for submission evidence could not be met in the time allowed.

"However police enquiries are continuing and the charges may be resurrected in due course if appropriate."