SCOTLAND Yard faced fierce criticism today after two brothers arrested in a controversial anti-terrorism raid were released without charge.

Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, who was shot during the raid, and 20-year-old Abul Koyair were held for a week after being detained in a dawn raid in Forest Gate, east London, last Friday.

They were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism after 250 Metropolitan Police officers - some armed and some wearing chemical suits - swooped on a terraced house in Lansdown Road.

The brothers were freed last night after police confirmed their search of the house was complete.

It left the Met facing intense criticism - particularly from the Islamic community - over its handling of the operation.

The force now faces the embarrassment of another Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry into the shooting of an apparently innocent suspect.

A decision on whether any officers will face charges over the death of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes is expected soon.

The Met said it would undertake any appropriate restoration work to the Forest Gate house.

Specific intelligence - believed to be related to the existence of a chemical-based explosive device - had led police there. Nothing of that nature was found, but police said the intelligence would continue to be developed and the inquiry could yet take detectives elsewhere.

There was no immediate comment from the family of the two brothers.

But Anjem Choudary, the outspoken Islamic figure at the centre of a demonstration yesterday over the raid, said their release had been inevitable because the police had no evidence against the brothers.

He added: "I am surprised it took the police so long to realise they had raided the house of innocent Muslims and shot an innocent boy.

"They have acted in a brutal manner. The statements that have come from Tony Blair and those responsible for the investigation have shown no remorse or regret.

"This incident has now come to a conclusion. But what about the next incident?"

Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "This is another indictment of police and intelligence service anti-terrorist policy.

"This policy is criminalising and victimising a community that is running out of patience.

"The only criteria for suspicion, it appears, is the suspicion that you might be or are a Muslim."

The Muslim Council of Britain also welcomed the men's release.

A spokesman said: "The nature of the raid and the circumstances surrounding the shooting has created considerable unease in the Muslim community, particularly among the younger generation."

"This is not a matter of apportioning blame, but of trying to ensure that the necessary foundations are in place to maintain trust and build a genuine partnership between the Muslim community and the police."