Oliver Savant

Oliver Savant (born 19 December 1980) (later Ibrahim SavantTime: [http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1225687,00.html Profiling the Suspects: Converts to Islam] , August 11, 2006] ) is one of the suspects arrested in the UK in connection to the 2006 transatlantic aircraft terrorist plot in the United Kingdom, and one of the nineteen whose accounts were frozen by the Bank of England.cite web|author=BBC|title='Air plot' suspects: Names released|publisher=BBC|accessdate=August 11|accessyear=2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4782343.stm]

Charges

On divers days between 1 January 2006 and 10 August 2006 within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court conspired with other persons to murder other persons (contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977).

On divers days between 1 January 2006 and 10 August 2006 within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct to give effect to their intention to smuggle the component parts of improvised explosive devices onto aircraft and assemble and detonate them on board. Contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Background

Savant was born and grew up in Walthamstow, East London. He studied at local schools and was said to be a keen football player. In 1998, the 18-year old Savant converted to Islam and began using the name "Ibrahim".

Savant's family includes his father, an Iranian architect, his mother, an English accountant, and a brother named Adam. Paul Kleinman, a retired fireman and friend of the family described him: "He used to be a keen trumpet player and played to a high level. He’s a very nice and polite young man." cite web|author=Steve Bird|title=Men had converted to devout form of Islam, residents say|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=August 18|accessyear=2006|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2308058,00.html] .

Timeline

10th August 2006Suspect arrested by British authorities.

11th August 2006Assets are frozen by the Bank of England and name published.

21st August 2006Appearance at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. Charged with conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism.

4th September 2006Appearance in court via a video link from Belmarsh Prison before the Old Bailey. Remanded in custody for 2 weeks.

18th September 2006Appearance in court via a video link from Belmarsh Prison before the Old Bailey. Remanded in custody until 27th October.

27th October 2006Scheduled court appearance.

18th May 2007Defendant pleads not guilty to the charges. Trial due to begin April 2008.

ee also

*List of notable converts to Islam
*Islamist terrorism

References

* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2308058,00.html Men had converted to devout form of Islam, residents say] The Times August 11, 2006