CTV : Bomb-plot architect related to Zawahri: report

Bomb-plot architect related to Zawahri: report

CTV.ca News Staff | August 19, 2006

A Pakistani newspaper is reporting that a son-in-law to al Qaeda's second-in-command was the architect of a foiled plot to blow up 10 planes flying from the UK to the U.S.

British investigators have been questioning 23 suspects allegedly involved with the plot to use liquid explosives and electronic trigger devices, since they announced the bust on Aug. 10.

Pakistan, meanwhile, said last week it had taken seven people into custody in relation to the plot. Two of the suspects are British Muslims of Pakistani descent -- including Rashid Rauf, a man Pakistani officials claim is an al Qaeda fighter who was closely involved with the bomb plot.

Meanwhile, ABC is reporting that officials in Pakistan have also arrested Matiur Rehman -- an al Qaeda top operative and one of Pakistan's most-wanted fugitives -- as part of their investigation into Pakistani ties to the bomb plot.

If true, the arrest could mark a major step forward in the fight against the terror network, as Rehman is seen as the key liaison between al Qaeda and a network of Pakistani extremists around the world.

However, officials in Pakistan have denied the reports of Rehman's arrest.

Dawn, a newspaper in Pakistan, said authorities are honing in on an unidentified son-in-law of al Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

Citing unnamed sources which the paper described as credible, Dawn reported that the son-in-law was the mastermind of the bomb plot.

The paper said Zawahri -- whose whereabouts are unknown -- has several sons-in-law.

Officials believe Zawahri may be hiding out near the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in either the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, or the Bajour region of Pakistan.

The unnamed son-in-law is believed to have met with, and made payments to, at least one of the co-conspirators in one of those two regions, Dawn reported.

Pakistani officials have so far refused to confirm the reports.

Restrictions remain in place

Meanwhile, carry-on baggage restrictions remain in place at airports in the UK, Canada and the U.S. as security officials clamp down in an effort to reduce the threat of attack.

After a ban on liquids such as perfume and liquor caused business to plummet at duty-free shops in Canada's airports, officials reduced restrictions on Friday.

Starting Saturday, passengers can once again take duty-free booze and perfume on flights, but the items must be carried from the store to the departure gate by a staff member, and handed to passengers as they board their plane.

But the rules will vary depending on the airport, airline, and destination.

Passengers travelling to the U.S. and UK for example, are still banned from carrying liquids, gels or aerosols in their carry-on bags.

Those items must be placed in checked-baggage.

The news was welcomed by duty-free vendors, many of whom have been forced to close their stores and layoff staff as a result of the sharp drop in sales.

In the UK, officials have reduced the threat level from critical to severe.