British Govt publishes law on paramilitary fugitives
The British government has published legislation to allow paramilitary fugitives to return to the North without fear of imprisonment.
The move is expected to benefit between 40 and 150 mainly republican paramilitaries wanted for offences committed before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was signed.
These include Sinn Féin official Rita O'Hare, currently based in Washington.
Unionists and British opposition politicians have vowed to vehemently oppose the measures, saying they are the latest in a raft of unjustified concessions to republicans.
Under the new law, fugitives will first have to make an application to see if they are eligible for the scheme.
If they qualify, they will be exempt from arrest, questioning and remand in relation to the offences in question.
They will then be required to attend a special tribunal, which will grant them an early-release licence if they are convicted of the offence.
The only exception applies to people who are given life sentences and who are deemed to pose a risk to the public.
The early-release licences will also be subject to suspension and could be revoked if the conditions are broken.
