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Author fights seizure of al-Qaida book

22.05.08 John Ryan

Leaving al-Qaida, the book that has been delayed pending the outcome of a police investigation into its author, Shiv Malik, is unlikely to be published in the near future. Beckie Hardy, editor at Constable & Robinson, said that she hoped to be able to publish the book by the 27-year old freelance journalist, but that this still seemed uncertain.

Malik is being investigated by police about some of his sources quoted in the book. A two-day judicial review hearing began yesterday with Malik seeking to overturn a production order made by Greater Manchester Police in March seeking notes of interviews he held with terrorist suspect Hassan Butt. According to the Telegraph, in the High Court yesterday Malik's lawyer said his work was "of the highest public importance" and the demand, under anti-terror laws, to disclose the material generated by the project had wider implications for investigative journalism.

A production order had also been made against Malik's publishers, Constable & Robinson, who last month, handed over the manuscript to the police.

Book John Ryan Rights deal Constable & Robinson

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