Despite a final plea by David Lammy, a terrorism enthusiast who planned to incite a race war by bombing an English Defence League rally has been approved for release.

Mohammed Hasseen was involved in a group of six Muslim men aiming to detonate homemade bombs and attack far-right EDL marchers through shooting and stabbing. Their vile scheme was thwarted as they arrived after the rally had ended. In 2013, Hasseen, then 24, received a sentence of 23 years and nine months for admitting terrorist activities.

Although the Secretary of State for Justice contested a Parole Board decision to release him, Hasseen has been deemed suitable for release. David Lammy MP criticized the decision as “irrational and procedurally unfair,” pointing out the Board’s oversight of Hasseen’s unacceptable comments to a prison officer.

Dismissing the appeal, Sir John Saunders acknowledged the severity of Hasseen’s crimes, stating they could have resulted in fatal consequences. He recognized the potential for mass fatalities if Hasseen were to reoffend after release.

Hasseen and his terrorist group, as described by Nicholas Hilliard QC during their sentencing, were influenced by a barrage of violent imagery as they planned the attack on the right-wing rally. They amassed a significant collection of extremist material before their failed attempt on the EDL gathering.

Judge Hilliard noted their deep involvement in violent videos and speeches, emphasizing their strong interest in extremist Islamist ideology, particularly centered around jihad and violent retaliation.

The Birmingham-based gang possessed approximately 18,000 pieces of Islamic extremist material on their devices. The judge highlighted their desire to incite a cycle of retaliatory violence.

He deemed it unimaginable that their botched attack would deter them from pursuing atrocities in the future. At their sentencing at the Old Bailey, the men’s primary target, former EDL leader Tommy Robinson, shouted patriotic slogans from the public gallery as they were sentenced.

All members of the gang, except Hasseen, traveled to Dewsbury to bomb the rally on June 30, 2012. However, the EDL march concluded earlier than scheduled, and the 750 participants had dispersed by the time the terrorists arrived armed with weapons such as shotguns, swords, knives, and explosive devices.

Instead of carrying out their attack, the group opted for a meal before returning to Birmingham. Unaware of the plot, police stopped one of the cars, leading to the discovery of the arsenal two days later by a car pound employee.