EU court tells UK it cannot restrict 'terror' families' benefits

London, Apr.30 (ANI): Britain has been told that it is illegal for it to slap restrictions on benefits for families of terror suspects.

The controversial decision given by the European Court of Justice now allows families full access to state handouts worth tens of thousands of pounds a year, and is being seen as huge blow to Britain's war on terrorism and violent extremists.

"The regulation ordering funds to be frozen applies only to assets that can be used to support terrorist activities," the judges said.

They said benefits money was intended to meet "vital needs".

The ruling came after the wives of three suspects linked to Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda and the Taliban launched a legal challenge.

Under current rules the Treasury can impose strict limits on how benefits are paid to families of suspects. They can order that a suspect's wife can only withdraw 10 or 15 pounds a week in cash for each family member. Other payments can only be made via a debit card.

Families can also be ordered to give Treasury officials a detailed breakdown of how they spend their benefits. The restrictions target the spouses of people on the United Nation's list of suspects who have had their bank accounts and assets frozen. (ANI)