16/04/2012

Compensation Claims For UK Victims Of Overseas Terrorism

Victims of overseas terrorist attacks will now be allowed to claim compensation from the British government, if they lived in the UK for at least three years before the incident.

The compensation scheme will retrospectively apply to six attacks since 2002, including the bombings in Bali that year.

The overseas attacks deemed eligible by Foreign Secretary William Hague include the 2002 Bali bombings, the 2005 attacks on tourist sites in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India.

Victims of the bombings in Kusadasi, Turkey, in 2005, in Dahab, Egypt, in 2006, and in Mamaris, Turkey, in 2006 are also entitled to financial support.

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said payments were being restricted to victims "who have a clear and sufficient connection to the UK".

In a written statement Mr Blunt said: "The aim of the ex gratia scheme is to demonstrate solidarity with those in our community who have been affected by terrorist incidents overseas, taking into account the nature of terrorist attacks as a political statement and attack on our society."




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