SA 'no comment' on terror link

2005-07-29 12:59

Cape Town - South African authorities on Friday declined to comment on a report that a suspected organiser of the London bomb attacks, Haroon Aswat, was under surveillance in this country before he was detained in Zambia.

National police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Sally de Beer said she was aware of the reports, and had discussed them with the police top management.

"They advised that at this stage the SA Police Service has no comment," she said.

Spokesperson for intelligence services Lorna Daniels said: "We are not commenting."

CNN television reported the arrest on Thursday, saying there were now international negotiations over who would get access to Aswat, who is also wanted in the United States.

Aswat, who is about 31, who has been described variously as a British-born Pakistani, and as a British citizen of Indian descent, is suspected of playing a role in organising the four suicide bomb attacks in London on July 7 which killed 52 people.

According to media reports, the hunt for Aswat intensified after it was found that his mobile phone received up to 20 calls from the four London suicide bombers before the attacks.

US investigators also want to question Aswat over attempts to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon.

CNN quoted US officials as saying Aswat was "in their grasp" one month before the London attacks, but British counterparts would not let them detain him. It also quoted the sources as saying the suspect had been under surveillance in South Africa.

The arrest has been confirmed by a Zambian official, who said Aswat was detained in the Zambian border town of Livingstone after he crossed from Zimbabwe.

- SAPA