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One charged over July 21 attacks

Hasan Suroor

Heavy police presence on London tube

LONDON: A man from south London was on Thursday formally charged under Britain's anti-terror laws in connection with the July 21 attempted bombings in the capital as the city remained on tenterhooks with unprecedented police presence on tube stations and other public places.

Ismael Abdurahman (23), who is the first person to be charged in the case, was produced before a magistrate accused of withholding information that may have led to the arrest of one of the main suspects.

He faces the charge of "having information that he knew or believed might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of another person in the U.K. for an offence involving the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism (but) failed to disclose that information as soon as reasonably practicable to a constable.''

The information was understood to relate to Osman Hussain, who fled to Italy after the attacks, and was arrested in Rome last Friday in connection with the failed explosion at Shepherd's Bush station in west London.

Legal row

A quiet legal row is simmering between Britain and Italy over the extradition of Mr. Hussain. While Britain wants him back quickly in order to question him along with three other suspects who are in British custody, his lawyer has said that Mr. Hussain, also known as Hamdi Isaac, was likely to be first tried in Italy under its anti-terror laws.

Legal experts here called it a "spanner in the works'' by Mr. Hussain's defence lawyer Antonietta Sonnessa. Ms. Sonnessa said Mr. Hussain was "scared'' to return to Britain. She was reported to be trying to persuade the court to try him in Italy. Extradition proceedings are set to start on August 14.

Mr. Hussain was able to flee Britain despite nationwide security alert. He has claimed that the attacks were motivated by Iraq war and not religion, and that they were not meant to kill.

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