The Parole Board has decided against releasing Abdalraouf Abdallah, a convicted terrorist, after a comprehensive review of his case. Abdallah, now 31, is serving an extended determinate sentence of nine years and six months for terrorism-related offences committed in 2014.
Initially released in November 2020, Abdallah was recalled to custody in January 2021 following alleged threats and misconduct. The Parole Board conducted an extensive review, including a four-day hearing that spanned from April to July 2024.
Key Points from the Decision:
- The panel assessed Abdallah as posing a high risk of serious harm to the public, children, and staff.
- Recent psychological assessments indicated a moderate level of engagement with extremism and intent to engage in terrorist-related offending.
- The panel was not convinced that Abdallah had genuinely changed his extremist mindset or willingness to radicalize others.
- Abdallah’s lack of openness regarding his past extremist views raised concerns about his insight into his risks, according to the panel.
- The proposed release and risk management plan were deemed insufficient to manage the risks posed by Abdallah in the community.
The decision comes after careful consideration of evidence from probation officers, psychologists, and Abdallah himself. The panel also took into account Abdallah’s progress in custody, including his participation in rehabilitation programs.
Notably, the Manchester Arena Public Inquiry previously found that Abdallah played a significant role in radicalizing the Manchester Arena bomber, though he was not involved in the attack itself.
Abdallah will remain in custody until his sentence ends in November 2024, when he will be automatically released by law, without further review by the Parole Board.
