Islamic Extremist Released From Mental Health Hospital, but People Still Remember the Terror Plots He Was Convicted Over

A man who has long been linked to some of the most serious extremist investigations involving the UK and the United States has reportedly been released from a secure mental health hospital after completing treatment, despite concerns previously raised by medical experts and security officials.

Harron Aswat, 50, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted over a plot to establish an extremist training camp in Oregon in 1999. Authorities have previously regarded him as a significant national security risk because of his history and alleged links to major terrorist investigations.

Last year, a High Court judge ruled that Aswat could be discharged from a secure mental health hospital in south-east London after doctors concluded that his treatment had reached the required stage. According to reports, he has now left the hospital and is expected to live with members of his family in Batley, West Yorkshire.

Although he has been released from hospital, reports indicate that strict conditions have been placed on him. The Home Office and other relevant authorities are expected to monitor him closely, and any breach of the restrictions imposed on him could result in further legal action.

Aswat’s case has attracted attention for many years because of his alleged connections to extremist activity. In 2015, a court in New York sentenced him to 20 years in prison for conspiring to establish an extremist training camp in Oregon before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Prosecutors said the plot was carried out under the direction of extremist preacher Abu Hamza.

After serving part of his sentence in the United States, Aswat was deported to the UK in 2022. Upon his arrival, he was immediately detained under the Mental Health Act and transferred to Bethlem Royal Hospital, where he remained in a secure psychiatric unit. His detention was reportedly influenced by concerns over both his mental health and the potential security risk he was believed to pose.

Over the years, Aswat has also been linked to investigations surrounding the July 7, 2005 London bombings. During the investigation into the attacks, police discovered that around 20 phone calls had been made between one of the bombers and a phone associated with Aswat in the hours leading up to the deadly attacks. He has not been convicted over the 7/7 bombings, but those reported links have continued to attract public attention.

Reports from the United States also stated that Aswat admitted being involved in both the September 11 attacks and the July 7 London bombings during interviews with investigators. Those claims have remained part of the wider public record surrounding his case.

Medical experts diagnosed Aswat with schizoaffective disorder, a serious mental health condition that can involve symptoms of psychosis alongside mood disorders. Doctors said the illness had contributed to episodes of unpredictable and aggressive behaviour.

However, a psychiatrist who assessed him in 2022 reportedly concluded there was no evidence that he was suffering from the disorder when the Oregon offences were committed in 1999. The assessment also raised concerns that extended beyond his mental health diagnosis.

According to the psychiatrist’s report, Aswat continued to express violent extremist Islamist beliefs even during periods when his mental health appeared relatively stable. The report further stated that he had been reluctant to continue taking prescribed medication and had experienced two relapses after stopping treatment, with those periods reportedly coinciding with violent behaviour.

The psychiatrist ultimately concluded that there remained an ongoing risk of violent Islamist extremism, despite the progress made through treatment.

News of Aswat’s release has prompted criticism from some politicians. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the decision as deeply concerning, arguing that someone with a history of extremist offences and continuing extremist beliefs should not be released into the community. He said that if there were any lawful grounds to deport Aswat, that option should be considered instead.

The Home Office did not comment directly on Aswat’s individual case but stressed that protecting the public remains its highest priority. A spokesperson said the UK has some of the strongest counter-terrorism powers in the world, allowing police and intelligence agencies to monitor and manage individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences. The department added that where people are released from detention, appropriate measures are put in place to reduce risk and help protect public safety.