Muslim News : Key air bomb suspect claims innocence

Key air bomb suspect claims innocence

Brief news rest of the World | Issue 213, 26 January 2007 | 6 Muharram 1428

A “key suspect” in the alleged terror plot to blow up transatlantic airliners was escorted to a court in Pakistan on December 21.

Rashid Rauf, 25 was arrested by Pakistani police in August, sparking a massive anti-terror operation across Britain. Rauf, from Birmingham, claimed he had been framed by the authorities.

Police in the Midlands want to question him about the murder of his uncle, Mohammed Saeed, in April 2002. Rauf, who has dual citizenship, disappeared shortly afterwards.

His arrest in Pakistan last August triggered raids by police across Britain that ended in the arrest of 24 suspects. Seven others, including two Britons, were held in Pakistan.

This led to a crackdown on security in the UK and US airports, with all liquids banned from hand luggage.

Prosecutors alleged Rauf was in possession of 29 bottles of hydrogen peroxide, intended to be used to blow up jets. He claimed they were for the treatment of wounds.

He faces civil charges of possessing explosives and forging travel and identity documents.

Officials say Rauf admits to having visited Afghanistan, attended militant training camps and to have met an aide of Ayman, Al Qa’ida’s al-Zawahiri.

Pakistani officials claim he admitted during questioning to meeting Al Qa’ida’s number three, Abu Faraj al-Libbi.

Pakistani human rights groups say he was tortured.