Zee News : UK judge extends custody of 9 in foiled terror plot, 1 released

UK judge extends custody of 9 in foiled terror plot, 1 released

August 24, 2006

London: A British court has extended the time nine suspects in the alleged plot to blow up US-bound flights can be held without charges being filed against them, officials said.

Another suspect was expected to face a custody hearing today, while an 11th person was released without charge yesterday.

Britain's press association reported that the man released Tayib Rauf. An official with Britain's anti-terrorist unit confirmed that Rauf, who was videotaped at a grocery story in Birmingham just hours before he was arrested Aug 10, was released.

The official talked on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to talk to the media.

Mohammed Nazam, the owner of the grocery store where Tayib was taped and a friend of the Rauf family, also told a newsagency that Tayib had been released. It wasn't known where Tayib was last night.

Scotland yard said it would not comment and a call to prosecutors was not immediately returned.

Tayib's brother, Rashid Rauf, is being interrogated by law enforcement authorities in a town near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, over his alleged key role in the plot, officials said.

Pakistani officials have linked people arrested there over the alleged conspiracy to al-Qaeda militants.

Investigators have not revealed if the alleged airline plot suspects were linked to al-Qaeda.

Bureau Report