Family detained in London raid complain of Police Abuse
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): Members of an east London family said Saturday that they were abused by British police who detained them a day earlier during a raid reportedly aimed at thwarting 'a chemical or biological attack'.

The family said they were that they were "in no way involved in any terrorist activity" and were not related to two brothers who were arrested during the raid, one of whom was shot in the shoulder.

"My family members and I were physically assaulted. I received serious head injuries that required hospital treatment," said one man, who did not wish to be named.

"We were detained without arrest for 12 hours," he added. "We would like to make it clear that we are completely innocent... This was vindicated by the police who released us without charge late yesterday (Friday) afternoon," the statement said.

Shock and Anger

"We would like to express our deep shock and anger at the operation that took place," it continued, adding: "We are currently liaising with our legal team on the course of action to take."

The statement corrects an earlier declaration by Asad Rehman, spokesman for the family, who had initially said they were related to the two men arrested in the raid.

He subsequently insisted that the two households, though interconnected, were "totally separate".

Police said earlier Saturday that they were continuing to search the property.●