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UK wants terror plot suspect
28/08/2006 22:08 - (SA)
Islamabad - Britain has asked Pakistan to extradite transatlantic airline bomb plot suspect Rashid Rauf, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Monday.
Rauf has been detained in Pakistan since his arrest early this month, when Pakistani security officials described him as a "key man" in the bombing conspiracy with links to al-Qaeda.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said on Monday that Rauf, a 25-year-old Briton, was being investigated for possible extremist activities in Pakistan and Britain as well as for links to the outlawed network.
Asked if Britain had requested his extradition, Aslam said: "Yes, they have sought his extradition and the matter is under consideration."
Aslam said Rauf was arrested in the city of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad on August 4.
Pakistani officials have previously said that his arrest allegedly led to the uncovering of the bombing conspiracy.
Aslam said information gleaned since his arrest was being shared with British authorities.
Rauf fled to Pakistan in 2002 and is wanted for questioning by police in Britain after his uncle was stabbed to death, security officials have said.
Twelve people in Britain have been charged for various offences related to the plot.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush both have thanked Pakistan for its role in unearthing the terror plan.
- AFP
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