Terror laws in other countries

France: Pre-trial detention period of two years for crimes punishable by 10 years imprisonment and up to four years detention for crimes warranting over 10 years of imprisonment. Custody limits can be increased over the usual 48 hours to two further periods of 24 hours each in case of terror act suspect. The person held in custody can only speak to a lawyer after 72 hours.

Germany: Anyone arrested must be brought before a judge within 24-48 hours and in case of strong grounds for suspicion, the suspect can be remanded to custody.

Greece: A special police branch called Directorate for Special Violent Crimes (DAEV) is in charge of all terrorism- related aspects now. Imprisonment of 10 years for terror group heads, up to two years imprisonment for terror threats; some preparatory acts are also punishable by 10 years imprisonment.

Italy: Formulated in December 2001 as ‘‘urgent measures to fight against international terrorism’’ the law provides seven to 15 years of imprisonment to those promoting, constituting, leading and financing terrorist outfits, five to 10 years for those associating with such outfits and four years for those harbouring terrorist. Rights to interception from 40 days and longer, suspects may be held up to 24 hours without access to a lawyer

Spain: Since 2004 bombings, a terror suspect can be held incommunicado for up to 13 days if there are grounds to believe that his knowledge about suspect’s detention could prejudice investigation. Once charged and in judicial custody, the preventive detention can last up to two years for offences drawing imprisonment of three years or more. If the matter is tried within two years due to circumstances, the detention could be extended for another two years — so four years detention is possible. Effective prison sentence for a person accused of two or more terrorist offences is as long as 40 years.

USA: Patriot Act 2001 allows law enforcement agencies to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial and other records; eases restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the US, expands the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, and enhances the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts.

Philippines: Human Security Act, 2007, is aimed at tackling militants in the southern Philippines. It empowers authorities to arrest terror suspects without warrants.

Compiled by Anubhuti Vishnoi