Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005

In short

This law, the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, allows the State to fulfill its international obligations, amends existing laws related to offenses against the State and European arrest warrants, and includes provisions for retaining communications data.

What it regulates

• The suppression of terrorist groups and terrorist offenses.
• The suppression of hostage-taking, terrorist bombing, and crimes against internationally protected persons.
• The suppression of the financing of terrorism.
• The retention and access of communications data.

Who it concerns

• Individuals involved in terrorist activities, hostage-taking, terrorist bombing, or crimes against internationally protected persons.
• Individuals involved in financing terrorism.
• Telecommunications service providers and individuals whose communications data may be retained and accessed for law enforcement and security purposes.

Key points

• It defines and sets penalties for "terrorist groups" and "terrorist offences" (Part 2).
• It establishes offenses for "hostage-taking," "terrorist bombing," and crimes against "internationally protected persons" (Part 3).
• It creates the "offence of financing terrorism" and outlines procedures for freezing and disposing of funds related to this offense (Part 4).
• It includes provisions for the "retention of traffic and location data relating to communications by phone" and "access to data retained for law enforcement and security purposes" (Part 7).