UPDATE: Three notorious extremists in the UK have successfully overturned their solitary confinement sentences, arguing that their isolation causes severe mental distress. This urgent ruling raises significant concerns about the implications for national security and taxpayer funding.
In a landmark decision on November 23, 2025, the High Court found in favor of gangland murderer Denny De Silva, terror plotter Fuad Awale, and aspiring rapper Sahayb Abu. They contended that being kept apart from the general prison population was unlawful under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), costing taxpayers over £500,000 in legal fees.
Critics, including Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, have described the ruling as “insane,” calling for the Labour government to withdraw from the ECHR to prevent what they view as exploitation of the legal system by extremists. Jenrick stated, “Not a single penny of taxpayer’s money should be going to these evil men.”
The implications of this ruling are immediate and alarming. De Silva, 32, who converted to Islam while incarcerated, was isolated after sharing Islamic State materials with other inmates. Awale, 37, is serving a minimum 38-year sentence for executing two men and was placed in solitary confinement after a failed hostage attempt involving a prison officer. Lastly, Abu, 31, known as the “Masked Menace,” was held in isolation for attempting to radicalize fellow prisoners during his incarceration.
The legal challenges have sparked outrage and fear that dangerous inmates could manipulate the system. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the staggering legal costs in response to inquiries from Jenrick, revealing that the total bill for the three men’s cases could exceed initial estimates due to potential compensation payouts.
In light of the recent ruling, Labour MP and Ministry of Justice minister Alex Davies Jones indicated that the government is contemplating an appeal regarding Abu’s case. Davies Jones stated, “We won’t be cowed by legal threats from prisoners,” affirming the commitment to keep radicalizers in separation units.
The separation units, established in 2017 to combat extremism in prisons, house only a limited number of inmates across three facilities in the UK, including HMP Full Sutton and HMP Woodhill. The ruling’s potential to allow more inmates to challenge their confinement could lead to a surge in similar appeals, further straining resources and endangering public safety.
As the situation develops, the government faces mounting pressure to address these legal loopholes. The ramifications of this ruling could reshape the handling of extremist offenders in UK prisons, with critics arguing that the ECHR’s application threatens national security.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
