UK terror plot: Custody of five extended

UK terror plot: Custody of five extended

August 31, 2006

LONDON: British police on Wednesday give one more week to question five suspects in the UK terror plot while three others were formally charged with conspiracy to murder and planning acts of terrorism by plotting to blow up US-bound planes.

The decision means that investigators can question the five men until September 6 when they will either have to be charged or released. British law allows police to hold suspected terrorists for a maximum of 28 days without charge, subject to court approval.

Out of the 25 people arrested in raids on August 9 and 10, 15 have been charged, five remain in custody without charge and five have been released. Earlier, three British Muslims were remanded to custody in connection with the plot until September 18.

The three, Mohammed Shamin Uddin, 35, Mohammed Yasar Gulzar, 25, and Nabeel Hussain, 22, are accused of conspiracy to murder and preparing an act of terrorism.

The City of Westminster Magistrates court remanded the three, all from London, in custody until September 18 when they will appear at the Old Bailey.

District Judge Nicholas Evans, the presiding magistrate, denied Hussain's application for bail. Lawyers for the two other suspects did not seek bail. Eleven people have now been charged on counts of conspiracy to murder and preparing to commit terrorist acts. Four others are accused of lesser offenses, including withholding from police information about the planned terror act.