A recurring pattern in the UK: once again, MI5 had a terror suspect on their radar, nevertheless, the terror suspect was able to conclude an act of terrorism, this one not very successful. A similar pattern emerged after the 7/7 bombings in the UK, when it was revealed that several of the bombing suspects had been under surveillance by MI5. (See the online documentary 7/7 Ripple Effect for a very critical view of the events of 7/7.)

Another pattern: the suspect (Nicky Reilly) who apparently tried to bomb the Exeter restaurant, is mentally ill. Mahmoud Abu Rideh another mentally ill terror suspect, has been in and out of detention by the UK since 2002. The defense lawyers of Zacarias Moussaoui, the "20th hijacker" argued that he was mentally ill, but the court rejected this argument.

But here is something new; the UK's Daily Mail online ties 9/11 into the picture;

One friend, 17-year- old Alli Turner, said: 'When the Twin Towers happened he would constantly watch it on repeat. He also had a huge 9/11 poster on his wall. ... 'He always used to say that he had been told you will get a better life when you die if you are a Muslim. ... 'He once said he goes to "secret meetings" where no one is allowed if they are not a Muslim. ... 'Nicky was never into drugs but he was on heavy medication. He tried to commit suicide several times.'

So far UK TV news hasn't woven that aspect into their reporting, here is what I have been able to find so far;
(videos below the fold)

May 22, 2008

May 23, 2008

Maybe the guy was just crazy, but maybe he was cherry-picked as a scapegoat due to his mental illness. It's clear that intelligence agencies target and exploit individuals for terror scapegoating purposes. Beware of agents provocateurs recruiting for violence.