Written By Unknown on Rabu, 17 Desember 2014 | 20.49
A student who wanted to fly an Islamic State flag over Downing Street has been found guilty of planning to join rebels in Syria.
David Souaan, 20, began to cry when the judge warned him jail is inevitable when he is sentenced in the new year.
He was accused of preparing for terrorist acts in Syria around the time he was stopped at Heathrow Airport on May 31.
The prosecution said he had visited in December last year, and was on his way back to fight the jihadist cause when he was arrested.
The Birkbeck College student, who comes from a wealthy family in Serbia, denied this and insisted his earlier visit to Syria was to collect his grandfather's belongings.
He claimed he posed for pictures with guns because he wanted to look "cool".
A jury took nine hours to find him guilty following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Remanding Souaan in custody, Judge Peter Rook said: "You have been convicted of a very serious offence indeed. You must understand that you will be receiving a custodial sentence in this case."
Souaan came to the UK in 2013 on a three-year visa to study global politics and international relations at Birkbeck College in London.
He was arrested after fellow students became concerned at his radical views on Islam and he had shown off pictures of himself posing with guns.
Police seized his laptop and iPhone and found a mass of pictures, videos and documents revealing his "extremist sympathies" and that he had not only been fighting in Syria before but was intending to return, the Old Bailey heard.
Prosecutor Sarah Whitehouse QC said one video clip on his iPhone was "so graphic and so shocking" that it could not be played in court.
It featured a man kneeling with his head held back as another man cut his throat.
The court heard that Souaan filmed himself attending a demonstration in the UK.
In the background, a man can be heard to say: "The flag of Tawheed in London, all praise be to Allah the lord of the universe."
This was in reference to the wish of Muslim extremists to see the black flag fly over Downing Street.
Sentencing was adjourned until 3 February for pre-sentence reports.
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Britons Reveal IS Fight In Syria
By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Two Britons who went to Syria to fight IS have told of their battles on the front line - and how they vowed to kill each other rather than get captured.
Jamie Read and James Hughes told how they dodged bullets during chaotic patrols with Kurdish forces after recording a "goodbye" video for their families in case they died.
They described spending hours lying in the "pitch black" in no-man's land, in conditions they said were reminiscent of World War One.
On one occasion, it was so cold that a young Kurdish comrade collapsed with hypothermia - "body-popping" on the ground next to them.
In an exclusive Sky News interview after their return to the UK, the pair also revealed how panic alarms have been installed in their homes, amid fears they could be targets for IS supporters.
They strongly denied being mercenaries, telling how they had sold possessions to fund their flights and had returned to the UK to "mounting debts and bills".
1/8
Gallery: British Pair Joined Fight Against Islamic State
James Hughes and Jamie Read gave an exclusive interview to Sky News
James Hughes from Worcestershire is a former soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan
]]>
Jamie Read from Lanarkshire, Scotland, spent time training with the French army
]]>
He said that he had 'zero tolerance' for terrorism
]]>
The men joined Kurdish fighters in Syria battling IS
]]>
They had not been paid "a penny" for their exploits, though they had been "treated like royalty" by some of the Kurdish troops, the men said.
And the former soldiers gave a detailed account of their time in Iraq and Syria, explaining that they had travelled to fight IS militants because they had "zero tolerance for terrorism".
Describing what had prompted them to travel, Mr Read said the beheading of British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning had been the final straw.
"Alan Henning - aid worker, British - put him on his hands and knees and cut his head off, you know what I mean," Mr Read said.
"Can you really find justification in sitting back here and doing nothing?"
Mr Read, 24, and Mr Hughes, 26, revealed that organising the trip had been quite simple with a "phone call here or there" and some communication over Skype.
They were screened by simply having their Facebook posts checked and ensuring that social media friends were not IS supporters, Mr Read said.
The pair said that after arriving in Irbil, northern Iraq, they were transported via the Kurdish HQ to the front line in Syria.
During the journey the Britons said they had no idea whether they had landed in a trap.
"I'm not going to lie, this was one of the most frightening processes you can go through, you know, the paranoia: through the roof," Mr Read said.
"You get picked up by a guy who doesn't speak English, so straight away there's a language barrier.
Video:UK Needs 'Stronger Foreign Policy'
"When we got to the safe house... it's sort of dodgy-looking, so you think 'I don't really like this'. At one point, you think 'is this the point I'm going to get handed over?'"
After getting a uniform and weapons, Mr Hughes said they eventually "rocked up" on the frontline to an old schoolhouse covered in mud.
They arrived to cheers from their Kurdish comrades, were plied with chai (tea) and cigarettes, and met three other Westerners who had joined the fight.
During their three weeks on the front line, their duties included terrifying night patrols where it was the "blackest black... like being in a cave with no lights".
"You are left staring into the pitch black, hoping no one sees you first," Mr Read said.
The Britons said they had hatched a plan to shoot each dead rather than being caught and paraded on television as hostages.
"We wouldn't get captured, bottom line, we couldn't get captured, we're not getting our heads paraded on YouTube, we made that vow before we went out.
"Everybody out there is carrying a round for themselves. Nobody wants to be captured by IS. Nobody wants to end up on YouTube getting their head cut off.
"So for us, as harsh as it sounds, it's probably the better way to go. It's the old saying, 'you keep a round for each other'."
Describing their final day, Mr Read told how the pair had been out on patrol towards a nearby village where IS militants had been holed up.
"All of a sudden we just got opened up on. Quite a lot of small arms (...) quite a lot of AKs and they were quite close.
1/12
Gallery: Peshmergas On The Front Line In The Battle Against Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga forces sweep the Bakirta village near the town of Makhmur, south of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan
Members of Kurdish "peshmerga" troops ride a vehicle during an intensive security deployment on the outskirts of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad
]]>
"There were rounds coming in and they were really close - they were pinging and they were bouncing, whizzing over your head - obviously it's a very distinctive noise.
"There was a lot of shouting, a lot of screaming, a lot of F-words being dropped."
The pair said they were forced to flee through a village which was "littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices)" before returning to base.
"We eventually made it out but this was a real eye-opener - this is how these people were going to act - there's something more that needs to be done there."
They returned to Britain last week and were questioned by anti-terrorism officers for six hours at Heathrow airport before being released.
Asked whether they would return to Syria, Mr Read said: "I'd like to think we would have the opportunity to go back."
But he added: "I'm unsure on the political stance - I'm not sure whether our Government would appreciate us going back."
:: You can watch an extended special report on the IS-fighting Britons at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 8.30pm, today, as well as a half-hour special programme at 9.30pm.
Watch the report on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Breaking News: British Soldier Torture Claims 'Lies' - Inquiry
Former UK Soldiers 'Compelled' To Fight IS
Breaking News: IS Flag Student Guilty Of Syria Terror Plan
Rouble Crisis: Apple Halts Russia Web Sales
Pakistan Reinstates Death Penalty After Attack
Exclusive: Death Pact Of IS-Fighting Britons
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Britons Reveal IS Fight In Syria
By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Two Britons who went to Syria to fight IS have told of their battles on the front line - and how they vowed to kill each other rather than get captured.
Jamie Read and James Hughes told how they dodged bullets during chaotic patrols with Kurdish forces after recording a "goodbye" video for their families in case they died.
They described spending hours lying in the "pitch black" in no-man's land, in conditions they said were reminiscent of World War One.
On one occasion, it was so cold that a young Kurdish comrade collapsed with hypothermia - "body-popping" on the ground next to them.
In an exclusive Sky News interview after their return to the UK, the pair also revealed how panic alarms have been installed in their homes, amid fears they could be targets for IS supporters.
They strongly denied being mercenaries, telling how they had sold possessions to fund their flights and had returned to the UK to "mounting debts and bills".
1/8
Gallery: British Pair Joined Fight Against Islamic State
James Hughes and Jamie Read gave an exclusive interview to Sky News
James Hughes from Worcestershire is a former soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan
]]>
Jamie Read from Lanarkshire, Scotland, spent time training with the French army
]]>
He said that he had 'zero tolerance' for terrorism
]]>
The men joined Kurdish fighters in Syria battling IS
]]>
They had not been paid "a penny" for their exploits, though they had been "treated like royalty" by some of the Kurdish troops, the men said.
And the former soldiers gave a detailed account of their time in Iraq and Syria, explaining that they had travelled to fight IS militants because they had "zero tolerance for terrorism".
Describing what had prompted them to travel, Mr Read said the beheading of British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning had been the final straw.
"Alan Henning - aid worker, British - put him on his hands and knees and cut his head off, you know what I mean," Mr Read said.
"Can you really find justification in sitting back here and doing nothing?"
Mr Read, 24, and Mr Hughes, 26, revealed that organising the trip had been quite simple with a "phone call here or there" and some communication over Skype.
They were screened by simply having their Facebook posts checked and ensuring that social media friends were not IS supporters, Mr Read said.
The pair said that after arriving in Irbil, northern Iraq, they were transported via the Kurdish HQ to the front line in Syria.
During the journey the Britons said they had no idea whether they had landed in a trap.
"I'm not going to lie, this was one of the most frightening processes you can go through, you know, the paranoia: through the roof," Mr Read said.
"You get picked up by a guy who doesn't speak English, so straight away there's a language barrier.
Video:UK Needs 'Stronger Foreign Policy'
"When we got to the safe house... it's sort of dodgy-looking, so you think 'I don't really like this'. At one point, you think 'is this the point I'm going to get handed over?'"
After getting a uniform and weapons, Mr Hughes said they eventually "rocked up" on the frontline to an old schoolhouse covered in mud.
They arrived to cheers from their Kurdish comrades, were plied with chai (tea) and cigarettes, and met three other Westerners who had joined the fight.
During their three weeks on the front line, their duties included terrifying night patrols where it was the "blackest black... like being in a cave with no lights".
"You are left staring into the pitch black, hoping no one sees you first," Mr Read said.
The Britons said they had hatched a plan to shoot each dead rather than being caught and paraded on television as hostages.
"We wouldn't get captured, bottom line, we couldn't get captured, we're not getting our heads paraded on YouTube, we made that vow before we went out.
"Everybody out there is carrying a round for themselves. Nobody wants to be captured by IS. Nobody wants to end up on YouTube getting their head cut off.
"So for us, as harsh as it sounds, it's probably the better way to go. It's the old saying, 'you keep a round for each other'."
Describing their final day, Mr Read told how the pair had been out on patrol towards a nearby village where IS militants had been holed up.
"All of a sudden we just got opened up on. Quite a lot of small arms (...) quite a lot of AKs and they were quite close.
1/12
Gallery: Peshmergas On The Front Line In The Battle Against Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga forces sweep the Bakirta village near the town of Makhmur, south of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan
Members of Kurdish "peshmerga" troops ride a vehicle during an intensive security deployment on the outskirts of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad
]]>
"There were rounds coming in and they were really close - they were pinging and they were bouncing, whizzing over your head - obviously it's a very distinctive noise.
"There was a lot of shouting, a lot of screaming, a lot of F-words being dropped."
The pair said they were forced to flee through a village which was "littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices)" before returning to base.
"We eventually made it out but this was a real eye-opener - this is how these people were going to act - there's something more that needs to be done there."
They returned to Britain last week and were questioned by anti-terrorism officers for six hours at Heathrow airport before being released.
Asked whether they would return to Syria, Mr Read said: "I'd like to think we would have the opportunity to go back."
But he added: "I'm unsure on the political stance - I'm not sure whether our Government would appreciate us going back."
:: You can watch an extended special report on the IS-fighting Britons at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 8.30pm, today, as well as a half-hour special programme at 9.30pm.
Watch the report on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Breaking News: British Soldier Torture Claims 'Lies' - Inquiry
Former UK Soldiers 'Compelled' To Fight IS
Breaking News: IS Flag Student Guilty Of Syria Terror Plan
When confronted with the atrocious truth of the Islamic State death cult's murder videos there is a natural instinct to "do something".
In the case of the British Government, the reflex has led to muddled thinking. In the case of two former British soldiers, it led to the front line.
Both are naïve. But only one of these groups is guaranteeing their own failure.
Jamie Read and James Hughes travelled to Kurdistan and took up arms against IS. They spent a little over three weeks on the front line.
They were interviewed by the police on their return but not, unlike every other group of Britons that has travelled to fight in the Syrian civil war, arrested and charged with terrorism.
Volunteers who have gone to fight against the regime of Bashar al Assad are all deemed to be dangerous terrorists.
Those who fight alongside the Kurds are seen as intelligence assets.
Jamie Read (L) and James Hughes (R) met American Jordan Matson
Of course, some of those who choose to fight in Syria do so because they subscribe to the theology of the IS and its global ambitions to enforce a Caliphate.
But other Syrian groups fighting against Assad do not have this agenda. Seen as "moderates", these rebel movements have received funding, training, and non-lethal aid from London and Washington.
Video:Ex-Soldiers 'Did Nothing Wrong'
Join them, though, and you'll be jailed.
Right now, in Jordan, there is a Military Operations Centre (MoC) staffed by, among others, British and American officers working with Syrian rebels and trying to put together a coherent ground force to exploit the effects of air strikes by the US-led coalition against Islamic State.
It's a bit of a struggle to win the trust of Syria's non-Kurd rebels.
The West has done very little to help them, has not imposed a no-fly zone on the Damascus regime but has bombed the al Nusra Front, probably the most effective rebel group fighting Assad.
Video:'You Are Treated Like Royalty'
Syrian rebel sources have told Sky News that the coalition has "about six months" before they collapse completely and may throw their lot in with Islamic State or al Qaeda affiliate the al Nusra Front.
Meanwhile, a small but steady trickle of volunteers - all of them unpaid - are making their way to the Kurds from the UK and other parts of Europe.
Their motivations are mixed.
Some, Hughes and Read admitted, have a "death wish" and nothing to live for back home. Others, like them, felt a compulsion to do their bit to stop IS, and no doubt others are war junkies, fantasists or downright nutters.
Video:Jamie Read: 'Absolutely No Regrets'
They have, though, managed to do something that their governments have shied away from. They have reached a conclusion about who in this war are the "goodies" and then joined up.
UK and US leaders have not quite figured out who they want to win in Syria.
The Kurds get backing for their plucky defence of their autonomous region.
But Syria's other rebels are a mixed bag, which in terms of UK law, are all being defined as "terrorists" - even the ones that the UK and US are funding.
1/8
Gallery: British Pair Joined Fight Against Islamic State
James Hughes and Jamie Read gave an exclusive interview to Sky News
James Hughes from Worcestershire is a former soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Inquiry: Iraq Torture Claims 'Lies'
By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent
The Defence Secretary has accused Iraqi prisoners of attempting to use the UK legal system to damage the reputation of Britain's armed forces.
Michael Fallon lambasted them for making "false allegations" of abuse by British forces, which triggered a judge-led inquiry costing the British taxpayer £31m and put soldiers through six years of anxiety.
Mr Fallon made his comments after a major inquiry ruled allegations of torture and murder, made against British soldiers bythe former prisoners, were "wholly without foundation".
The Al Sweady Inquiry found accusations of war crimes made in 2008 were "entirely the product of deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility".
Mr Fallon said the claims had been a "shameful attempt to use our legal system to attack and falsely impugn our armed forces".
1/10
Gallery: Al Sweady Inquiry Releases Images
Detained Iraqis being guarded by a British soldier - one of the images released by the Al Sweady Inquiry into alleged British army abuses of Iraqi prisoners
The inquiry, which lasted five years and cost the taxpayer £25m, has ruled claims that members of the British military tortured captured Iraqis were "lies". Continue through for more images
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
He said the lawyers who represented the Iraqi prisoners had made errors which had cost the taxpayer money and put the soldiers involved through years of uncertainty.
And he called for them to issue an "unequivocal apology to the soldiers whose reputations they attempted to traduce".
The two solicitors' firms involved - Public Interest Lawyers and Leigh, Day & Co - are being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
At the heart of the judge-led inquiry, the largest of its kind, was the claim that 20 or more Iraqis were unlawfully killed and mutilated after the so-called Battle of Danny Boy on 14 May 2004.
These claims were withdrawn earlier this year - after it emerged they were false - but the inquiry continued to examine claims British troops mistreated Iraqi detainees in their custody.
Video:The Battle Of Danny Boy
The Inquiry Chairman, Sir Thayne Forbes, noted that the British soldiers responded to the ambush with "exemplary courage, resolution and professionalism". Five were awarded the Military Cross for their actions and one the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
He said he found no evidence of tortured or war crimes and concluded the prisoners colluded to discredit the British Army.
Senior defence sources have told Sky News: "This has been a disgrace from start to finish. It has been the work of self-interested lawyers who, for whatever reason, have decided to take the word of those who sought to kill brave British soldiers."
However, the Army did not escape criticism. Sir Thayne found there had been instances of ill-treatment during "tactical questioning" of the detainees on the night of May 14/15.
The inquiry found the prisoners were blindfolded or deprived of their sight for an unacceptable amount of time and not fed properly.
Video:Bodies Collected From British Base
The former High Court judge also criticised British soldiers for "tasteless trophies" such as striking poses for photos with detainees but said none of the behaviour amounted to war crimes.
Named after 19-year-old Hamid al Sweady, who died in British custody, the inquiry, which was announced in 2009, received evidence from 610 witnesses.
The report made nine recommendations for the British military including recording interrogations, making proper prisoner medical examinations and keeping records and making sure there are sufficient interpreters.
Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Exclusive: Death Pact Of IS-Fighting Britons
Former UK Soldiers 'Compelled' To Fight IS
Breaking News: IS Flag Student Guilty Of Syria Terror Plan
Rouble Crisis: Apple Halts Russia Web Sales
Pakistan Reinstates Death Penalty After Attack
British Soldier Torture Claims 'Lies' - Inquiry
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Inquiry: Iraq Torture Claims 'Lies'
By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent
The Defence Secretary has accused Iraqi prisoners of attempting to use the UK legal system to damage the reputation of Britain's armed forces.
Michael Fallon lambasted them for making "false allegations" of abuse by British forces, which triggered a judge-led inquiry costing the British taxpayer £31m and put soldiers through six years of anxiety.
Mr Fallon made his comments after a major inquiry ruled allegations of torture and murder, made against British soldiers bythe former prisoners, were "wholly without foundation".
The Al Sweady Inquiry found accusations of war crimes made in 2008 were "entirely the product of deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility".
Mr Fallon said the claims had been a "shameful attempt to use our legal system to attack and falsely impugn our armed forces".
1/10
Gallery: Al Sweady Inquiry Releases Images
Detained Iraqis being guarded by a British soldier - one of the images released by the Al Sweady Inquiry into alleged British army abuses of Iraqi prisoners
The inquiry, which lasted five years and cost the taxpayer £25m, has ruled claims that members of the British military tortured captured Iraqis were "lies". Continue through for more images
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
He said the lawyers who represented the Iraqi prisoners had made errors which had cost the taxpayer money and put the soldiers involved through years of uncertainty.
And he called for them to issue an "unequivocal apology to the soldiers whose reputations they attempted to traduce".
The two solicitors' firms involved - Public Interest Lawyers and Leigh, Day & Co - are being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
At the heart of the judge-led inquiry, the largest of its kind, was the claim that 20 or more Iraqis were unlawfully killed and mutilated after the so-called Battle of Danny Boy on 14 May 2004.
These claims were withdrawn earlier this year - after it emerged they were false - but the inquiry continued to examine claims British troops mistreated Iraqi detainees in their custody.
Video:The Battle Of Danny Boy
The Inquiry Chairman, Sir Thayne Forbes, noted that the British soldiers responded to the ambush with "exemplary courage, resolution and professionalism". Five were awarded the Military Cross for their actions and one the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.
He said he found no evidence of tortured or war crimes and concluded the prisoners colluded to discredit the British Army.
Senior defence sources have told Sky News: "This has been a disgrace from start to finish. It has been the work of self-interested lawyers who, for whatever reason, have decided to take the word of those who sought to kill brave British soldiers."
However, the Army did not escape criticism. Sir Thayne found there had been instances of ill-treatment during "tactical questioning" of the detainees on the night of May 14/15.
The inquiry found the prisoners were blindfolded or deprived of their sight for an unacceptable amount of time and not fed properly.
Video:Bodies Collected From British Base
The former High Court judge also criticised British soldiers for "tasteless trophies" such as striking poses for photos with detainees but said none of the behaviour amounted to war crimes.
Named after 19-year-old Hamid al Sweady, who died in British custody, the inquiry, which was announced in 2009, received evidence from 610 witnesses.
The report made nine recommendations for the British military including recording interrogations, making proper prisoner medical examinations and keeping records and making sure there are sufficient interpreters.
Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Exclusive: Death Pact Of IS-Fighting Britons
Former UK Soldiers 'Compelled' To Fight IS
Breaking News: IS Flag Student Guilty Of Syria Terror Plan
Written By Unknown on Senin, 15 Desember 2014 | 20.49
The gunman took an unknown number of people hostage at the height of Monday morning's rush hour and the siege is ongoing. Here are the facts we know:
:: At least one gunman went in to the Lindt cafe in Sydney at around 9.45am local time (10.45pm GMT).
:: Police were alerted when a woman reported seeing a man carrying a gun in a blue bag.
:: The man appears to be middle-aged, with a beard, and is wearing a black and white headband. There are reports he is known to police and media outlets.
:: A flag with Arabic writing was displayed at the cafe window and several hostages were seen with their hands up against the window.
Video:'They Put ISIS Sign On The Window'
:: The writing on the flag appears to be the shahada, or profession of faith in Islam, and says: "There is no god but Allah; Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah."
:: Australian prime minister Tony Abbott said there are indications the siege could be politically motivated.
:: The scene of the drama, Martin Place, is in Sydney's financial centre and houses several prominent buildings, including the New South Wales parliament, the US consulate, the country's central bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
:: Some six hours into the siege, three men emerged from the popular cafe and ran for their lives, two from the front door and one from an emergency exit.
:: Around an hour later two women who appeared to be staff members also fled into the arms of police.
:: It is understood that they all escaped and were not released.
:: Police have confirmed that negotiators have made contact with the gunman.
:: His motives are unknown. The two female hostages told Channel Ten news the gunman claims there are four bombs; two inside the Lindt cafe and two in Sydney's financial district.
Video:Gunman Takes Hostages In Sydney
:: It is not clear how many hostages are being held. Reports vary from eight to 50 people.
:: However, police said the numbers are "not as high as 30".
:: In a news conference at around 8.30pm local time, police said they have the "very best negotiators on the job" and that their only priority is to get the hostages out safely.
:: Speaking directly to the hostages, Commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "Rest assured we are doing all we can to set you free."
:: They did not say if anyone has been harmed.
:: Anyone who works in the area has been advised to work from home on Tuesday.
:: Australia raised its terror threat level in September.
:: Watch continuous live coverage on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
Three men have been detained by police who stormed an apartment in Belgium after reports of a man being taken hostage in an armed siege.
Police were called after four armed men were reportedly seen entering a building in the Dampoort district of the city on Monday morning.
A spokeswoman for the state prosecutor said the victim was safe and well.
"Three men have been taken away though there were no weapons found. The earlier reports were of four men with kalashnikovs," she said. "... It's not entirely clear whether someone was in fact taken hostage."
Armed police in balaclavas emerged at about 1pm from the cordoned-off building.
"It's over," one police officer said.
Belgian broadcaster VRT cited neighbours as saying that the flat had been used by drug dealers.
A wide cordon has been set up
A federal police spokeswoman said the incident was not terrorism-related.
Television footage showed police blocking traffic at a cordoned off intersection while a helicopter hovered overhead and sirens blared in the background.
Local media reported that there was another hostage incident in Ghent, linked to extortion, two months ago.
The siege also comes as a gunman holds a number of people hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia.
A gunman is holding up to 20 people hostage in complete darkness at a cafe in Sydney's financial district.
Chilling footage has emerged of a female hostage apparently trying to communicate with police by miming her throat being cut - while news channels have chosen not to broadcast a video of another hostage relaying the assailant's demands.
Witnesses described seeing the hostages looking "exhausted" and "absolutely petrified".
But as night fell and the siege entered its 14th hour the gunman turned off the lights, meaning people outside could no longer see in.
The siege began at 10am (local time) when the assailant - who was previously known to both Sydney police and media - entered the Lindt cafe in Martin Place carrying a pump-action shotgun.
Video:Hostage Makes Throat Slitting Sign
Shortly afterwards, hostages were seen holding a black flag with white Arabic text.
Footage showed the assailant apparently using one hostage as a human shield.
:: Follow live updates of the siege
Channel Ten spoke to two hostages who said the gunman is claiming to have four bombs - two inside the cafe and two elsewhere in the financial district.
Police are investigating reports the assailant has used hostages' social media accounts to demand a meeting with Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbott.
Video:Map - Sydney Siege Location
Some of the hostages have spoken to their families on mobile phones - while five, three male customers and two female staff, have managed to escape.
Journalist Chris Reason, who has a view of the cafe from the Channel 7 building, said the gunman was "extremely agitated" when the hostages fled.
But he told Sky News the cafe had now "gone completely black" - although he could make out a man, thought to be the hostage taker, holding an iPad.
"We can see very little of what is going on inside, which is obviously not good news," said Mr Reason.
"From our position over the last couple of hours we have counted 15 hostages in total. Five of those have escaped.
Video:Escaping The Sydney Cafe Gunman
"They are all ages, all demographics. Fortunately no children that we could see."
Mr Reason said the gunman had been forcing hostages to stand at the window with their hands against the glass - and that they were rotated every two hours.
One woman in that position looked like she had been "crying her heart out", he said.
One of the gunman's reported demands is that an IS flag be brought to the cafe.
Police have confirmed they are working "on a footing" it is a terrorist incident - but they remain "confident" a peaceful resolution can be achieved.
1/35
Gallery: Latest Images From Australia
Two hostages run for cover behind a policeman during a hostage siege in the central business district of Sydney
The ongoing hostage situation in Sydney has sparked an outpouring of solidarity on social media with the hashtag #illridewithyou trending worldwide.
Two Arabic flags, similar to those used by Islamic State, have been seen inside the Lindt cafe.
The Australian government and Muslim leaders have condemned the attack and called for unity.
Amid uncertainty about the hostage-taker's motives and fears of reprisals an Australian woman reportedly started the #illridewithyou hashtag to reassure Muslims who might feel threatened on public transport in the coming days.
@SirTessa wrote: "If you reg take the #373 bus b/w Coogee/MartinPl, wear religious attire, & don't feel safe alone: I'll ride with you. @ me for schedule."
Twitter users have responded to this in their thousands with many offering to accompany people in Sydney and other Australian cities.
Video:'They Put ISIS Sign On The Window'
@Eddieperfect wrote: "My family and I are heading in and out of the city by tram in melbs tomorrow. We'll stand by anybody #illridewithyou."
@karennaree tweeted: "#illridewithyou anytime, anyplace, anywhere. We won't be beaten by evil. Praying the hostages will be safe."
The hashtag has been tweeted over 90,000 times.
Elsewhere on social media a number of people have been criticised for tweeting selfies standing by the cordon around the Lindt cafe.
Passers-by and shoppers uploaded the images of themselves to Twitter with hashtags including #hostagesituationselfie.
Their actions have been condemned on the micro-blogging site.
@stillgray wrote: "People taking selfies at the area around the Sydney hostage situation. We have reached peak selfie and it is terrible."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 14 Desember 2014 | 20.49
By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent
The head of the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee is demanding to see material documenting any British links to the CIA's use of torture.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, chair of the Commons committee, is seeking any intelligence relating to the UK that was redacted from the explosive Senate report into the CIA.
It concluded that the CIA lied over its torture and interrogation programme developed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Sir Malcolm told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "This is a major United States' report and so we are requesting, both our colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee ... but also it will ultimately be the United States government, that will decide whether some of the material that has been redated in the American report can be shown to us.
Jack Straw has been questioned by police over renditions, say reports
"We don't need to see everything that's been redacted, what we need to see are the bits that might refer to the UK government."
Asked whether that information would be made public, he said the ISC would only agree for it to be withheld "if the Prime Minister was able to convince us that there were legitimate national security reasons why it shouldn't be published".
Video:Former CIA Officer Michael Scheuer
He said there had been "justified" criticism of the ISC in the past, but it had new powers to order intelligence agencies to hand over requested files and for its staff to go to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to "personally inspect files to make sure nothing's been left out".
He said once the ISC had looked through the written material, "we will come to a judgement as to which people, first of all who in the intelligence agencies we wish to take evidence from, secondly either current ministers or former ministers who have intelligence on these matters".
Sir Malcolm said he does not think a judge-led inquiry into any British involvement in the CIA's rendition and torture programme is necessary.
Video:UK Bid To Access CIA Torture Report
He agreed the ISC does not have the power to compel ministers to give evidence, "but, of course, it would be huge scandal if they did refuse to".
The British Government has admitted requesting the deletion of references to Britain's intelligence agencies for national security reasons.
UK Government representatives had 24 meetings with members of the US committee responsible for the findings.
Video:MI5 And MI6 Involvement Questioned
Some of the deletions are believed to relate to the British Overseas Territory of Diego Garcia.
There is escalating pressure on the British government not to extend an agreement allowing the US to use the territory in the Indian Ocean as a military base.
Andrew Tyrie, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on rendition, said any negotiations should address allegations that it was used by the CIA to render terror suspects around the world.
Video:UK Involvement in CIA Torture
"The negotiations on the lease can focus minds on establishing the scope and limits of Britain's involvement, direct or indirect, in extraordinary rendition," Mr Tyrie said.
"We are talking about kidnap and taking people to places where they may be maltreated or tortured."
The former Home Office minister, Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who has taken a close interest in the atoll, said: "As it comes up for renewal, we need a full explanation of what happened in our name on that island."
Video:UK Wanted CIA Report Changes
It comes amid reports former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was questioned by police investigating the abductions of two Libyans who say they were handed to Colonel Gadaffi and tortured by his regime.
Mr Straw was interviewed as a "witness" by Scotland Yard following claims the Government was complicit in the rendition of the two men and their families, the Sunday Times said.
Negotiators at United Nations talks in Peru have reached a compromise deal which sets the stage for a global climate pact to be made next year in Paris.
After late-night wrangling, delegates from more than 190 nations meeting in Lima adopted a format for national pledges to cut greenhouse gases and approved a blueprint to guide negotiations for the Paris pact in December 2015.
"As a text it's not perfect, but it includes the positions of the parties," said Peru's environment minister, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, who was the conference chairman.
The hard-fought agreement - dubbed the Lima Call for Climate Action - was reached hours after a previous draft was rejected by developing countries who accused rich nations of shirking their responsibilities to fight global warming.
Climate change effects include rising sea levels
The two-week talks overran by 32 hours after the delegates failed to reach a consensus by the end of the session.
While hailing the Lima agreement as one that "unites all nations", UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey warned there was a lot of work to be done before the Paris summit.
Video:Climate Change Deal Reached
Mr Davey said: "The talks were tough but the Lima Call for Climate Action shows a will and commitment to respond to the public demand to tackle climate change.
"The next 12 months will be critical and the UK's leadership will be needed more than ever in the difficult negotiations ahead - but we have to succeed because the threat to our children's future is so serious."
Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "What is really positive is that for the first time we have got the developed countries and the developing countries on the same page and they have all agreed that they all need to reduce their carbon emissions."
The European Union welcomed the outcome of talks as a "as a step forward on the road to a global climate deal in Paris next year."
Video:Caroline Flint On Climate Deal
But environmental campaigners said it was a step backwards in protecting poor countries from catastrophe.
Friends of the Earth's international climate campaigner Asad Rehman said: "The only thing these talks have achieved is to reduce the chances of a fair and effective agreement to tackle climate change in Paris next year.
"Once again poorer nations have been bullied by the industrialised world into accepting an outcome which leaves many of their citizens facing the grim prospect of catastrophic climate change."
Samantha Smith of the WWF conservation group said of the successive drafts: "We went from weak to weaker to weakest."
Video:People's Climate Change March
And Alden Meyer of the US-based monitoring group Union of Concerned Scientists said the deal was "definitely watered down from what we expected".
Due to take effect in 2020, the Paris pact aims to limit global warming to 2C (3.6F) over pre-industrial levels. At its heart is a roster where all nations enter voluntary commitments to reduce their carbon emissions.
But the Lima deal came after a rebellion by developing nations like India and China, who warned tougher measures would put an unfair burden on them.
The final draft apparently alleviated those concerns, with language saying countries have "common but differentiated responsibilities" to deal with global warming.
Video:2009: Climate Change In Himalayas
"We've got what we wanted," said Indian environment minister Prakash Javedekar, who said the text preserved the notion enshrined in a 1992 climate convention that the rich have to lead the way in making cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Historically Western nations have been the biggest greenhouse gas emitters but now developing nations are pulling ahead, as they grow their economies and lift millions out of poverty, meaning China is now the biggest greenhouse gas emitter ahead of the US, the EU and India.
The main goal for the session in Lima was to agree on what information should go into the pledges that countries submit for the summit in Paris.
But the deal weakened language on the content of the pledges, saying they "may" instead of "shall".
Video:Gobi Desert Affected By Climate
And after opposition led by China it was agreed that there will not be a full-blown review comparing each nation's pledge.
And it restored language demanded by small island states at risk of being flooded by rising seas, mentioning a "loss and damage" mechanism agreed upon in last year's talks in Poland.
Businesses are furious after a piece of software used by retailers on Amazon went wrong, causing hundreds of items to be sold at 1p.
Some firms which use RepricerExpress say they risk going bankrupt because the problem has resulted in them losing so much money.
The software is designed to keep businesses competitive by automatically repricing items of stock so they are cheaper than others in the digital market.
The firm states on its website: "We are here to increase your sales on Amazon and Rakuten's Play.com and make your efforts as profitable as possible."
For an hour on Friday, between 7pm and 8pm, a problem with RepricerExpress led to hundreds of items being sold on Amazon at a fraction of their normal price. At the same time, some customers said, Amazon charged its usual fees for every item sold.
One of the sellers, Judith Blackford of Kiddymania, told Sky News she could be forced out of business as result of the error.
She said: "I started using Repricer Express - a repricing tool as did a lot of other businesses a few months ago.
"Last night through an error in their programme they listed my stock on Amazon at 1p per item including delivery.
"I have lost about £20,000 overnight. Having asked Amazon to cancel the orders they are still sending them out and charging me horrendous fees.
"Surely someone has to be accountable for this. I will be bankrupt at this rate by the end of January."
Amazon uses automated pricing software created by RepricerExpress
Another retailer affected, Discount Discs, told Sky News: "We are yet to quantify the amount of stock we have lost but we are aware of other sellers losing around £100k of stock.
"This has happened on probably the busiest trading weekend of the year for many sellers."
As a result of the error, several buyers commented on Twitter at how pleased they were to have bought the items for so little.
One person wrote: "Amazon are having a glitch on their site and loads of stuff is selling for 1p. I just bought an incense holder, don't even need it."
An email to some customers from the CEO of RepricerExpress, Brendan Doherty, said the problems with the software caused incorrect pricing to be sent to Amazon.
A statement on the company's website from Mr Doherty said: "I am truly sorry for the distress this has caused our customers.
"We have received communication that Amazon will not penalise sellers for this error. We are continuing to work to identify how this problem occurred and to put measures in place to ensure that it does not happen again.
"Everyone here is devastated and disappointed that you have experienced this problem.
"We understand that you are angry and upset and we will endeavour to work to make good on this issue."
A spokesman for Amazon said: "We are aware that a number of Marketplace sellers listed incorrect prices for a short period of time as a result of the third party software they use to price their items on Amazon.co.uk.
"We responded quickly and were able to cancel the vast majority of orders placed on these affected items immediately and no costs or fees will be incurred by sellers for these cancelled orders.
"We are now reviewing the small number of orders that were processed and will be reaching out to any affected sellers directly."
Moscow has denied one of its military planes nearly collided with a passenger plane over Sweden.
Swedish defence forces said the incident happened on Friday when a Russian aircraft turned off its transponders to avoid commercial radar south of the Swedish city of Malmo.
It nearly hit an airliner that had just taken off from Copenhagen International Airport in Denmark, they said.
Both Swedish and Danish fighters were scrambled amid growing concerns about Russian planes skirting or violating the national air space of neighbouring countries.
Russia did not deny its plane was in the area at the time, but said it was a safe distance of more than 70km (43 miles) from the passenger jet.
Video:Pilot's Shock At Close Call
"There were no conditions for an aviation incident connected to the flight on Friday December 12 of a Russian military plane in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea," said Moscow defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
"The distance from the flight path of the passenger jet that took off from Copenhagen was more than 70km."
He confirmed the Russian plane was flying without a transponder that would have made it visible on the radar of a commercial plane.
1/6
Gallery: Russian Military Planes Alarm NATO
Russian Tupolev Tu-95 (Bear) bomber refuelling from an Ilyushin Il-78 during an exercise