Muslims in Bristol have spoken of their satisfaction with the not guilty verdict in the Hashi Omer case.

Omer stood accused of not passing on information to police regarding would-be terrorist Isa Ibrahim, who was found guilty of planning a bomb attack in the city, but was cleared by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Anira Khokhar, of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, said: "Hashi and his family have suffered a gruelling 18 months of uncertainty since his arrest last year. The verdict brings huge relief to the young man and his family.

"Hashi is only 19 years old. He would have heard young people of all backgrounds making fantastical, exaggerated claims about many things. Without the benefit of hindsight, the ranting of Isa would have been seen no differently.

"In the last 18 months, everyone that we at BMCS have spoken to about Hashi Omer has had nothing but good to say about him. Hashi was not an extremist, nor did he support any extremist ideology. On the contrary, he did all he could to teach Isa the true meaning of Islam.

"We have always held the view that prosecuting Hashi on the basis of withholding information was unwarranted and has caused unnecessary anxiety within the Muslim communities. It will come as a complete relief that wiser heads have prevailed.

"The not guilty verdict should go a long way to restore the faith of the Bristol Muslim communities in the British Justice system; where all are equal under the law and innocent until proven guilty. However, let us not forget that the security services have a difficult job on their hands countering the real and substantial terror threat our country faces.

"The Muslim communities will continue to stand united alongside other local Bristolians as we face down this threat together. The police can remain assured of total support in this regard."