Worshippers at an Edinburgh mosque have refuted suggestions it is promoting extremism after a study claimed to have found “hate literature” there.
Researchers claimed to have found a booklet which indicated it was permissible to kill lapsed Muslims.
The material was said to be found at the Islamic Centre of Edinburgh, which is attached to the King [...]

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Fifteen asylum seekers have taken up the chance to go to university following a controversial decision by the Scottish government to wave their tuition fees.
It was feared that young refugees, who are not allowed to work and who get an allowance of just £30 a week, were being deprived of the chance of further education [...]

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Almost two thirds of inmates re-offend within two years of their release from prison, according to latest figures.
Statistics published by the Scottish Government showed the reconviction rate was almost as high for those who had been sentenced to probation.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the figures as unacceptable.
He said there were also too many people re-offending [...]

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THE Tartan Army are being warned not to lift their kilts when they go to see Scotland play Georgia, as it could lead to trouble.
The British ambassador in Georgia, Denis Keefe, warned fans about the dangers in the ex-Soviet country ahead of the Euro 2008 match next Wednesday. Violent crime against Westerners is common in [...]

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SCOTLAND’s leading rural estates yesterday condemned wildlife crime and pledged to banish members who did not do enough to uphold the law.
The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), which represents the likes of the Buccleuch Estates and Atholl Estates, said its members should discipline or sack employees who were involved in harming birds of prey.
The [...]

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POLICE were today investigating anti-English graffiti which appeared on a row of cottages in the Highlands.
“English out” has been daubed in white paint on the walls of one of the properties in Fort Augustus. Another slogan on the door bears the name of extremist nationalist group Siol nan Gaidheal (Seed of the Gael).
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A 78-YEAR-OLD football fan was beaten senseless by a young thug.
Norman Goldie needed treatment in hospital for three broken ribs after he was punched to the ground during the late-night incident near his home.
Police described the beating as “cowardly and callous” and are hunting for a man in his 20s.
Well-known Aberdeen supporter Norman, who celebrates [...]

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A SERIAL sex offender who tried to rape a pregnant woman at knifepoint was jailed for life yesterday.
Gordon Melrose, 60, was told he must serve at least 12 years and was also banned for life from approaching women.
Melrose grabbed market researcher Joy Bagasina, 33, when she called at his flat, the High Court in Edinburgh [...]

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A Ballymena man accused of explosives offences has had his bail conditions altered so he can attend Celtic’s Champions League football match.
Liam Lyness, 23, of Fisherwick Crescent, denies possessing three incendiary devices with intent to endanger life or damage property.
Belfast Crown Court suspended a condition that Mr Lyness has to report to police on a [...]

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ONE of Poland’s top politicians was in Scotland yesterday to begin the hunt for votes ahead of his country’s general election on October 21.
Donald Tusk, 50, leader of the main opposition party Platforma Obywatelska, visited Kirkcaldy, Fife, for a Polish cultural event.
Maciej Dokurno, chairman of the Fife Polish Association, said: “By coming to visit us, [...]

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FOREIGN criminals will be prevented from securing taxi licences under plans to tighten background checks.
East Renfrewshire Council will become the first Scots local authority to demand all applicants produce a five year “good behaviour” report from their country of origin.
The move follows concern licensing bosses were voting on applications using information solely from UK police [...]

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MORE THAN 160 anti-nuclear protesters were arrested today as they marked the end of a year-long campaign at the Clydeside submarine base.
An estimated 500 demonstrators gathered outside Faslane naval base, home of the UK’s Trident fleet of nuclear subs, early today.
Many started blockading the main entrance by gluing themselves to the road outside or chaining [...]

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This week the Muslim Council of Scotland (MCS) was formed as an umbrella group to represent Muslim interests in Scotland.
The group claims to have brought together and unprecedented number of Scotland’s mosques and Muslim organisations into one united bloc.
The first convener of the MCS is none other than Bashir Mann, the former Glasgow Labour Councillor [...]

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