[Special report]
BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Britian is
seeking the urgent extradition from Pakistan of a key suspect arrested in
connection with an alleged plot to bomb U.S.-bound planes last week, The Times
reported Wednesday.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry last week named one of
the two British nationals of Pakistani origin arrested in the country along with
their five local facilitators, and identified him as Rashid Rauf.
Officials at the British High Commission in Islamabad
have already taken the first steps to secure the return of Rauf, 25, who is
from Birmingham, The Times said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan said the British
government had not sought extradition of Rauf.
"The British Government has asked for mutual legal
assistance but not for his extradition," Pakistani spokesperson Tasnim Aslam
told local media.
"Presently the two countries have no extradition
treaty," the spokesperson said, adding "it is being negotiated and there are one
or two issues which need to be resolved."
But according to The Times, Scotland Yard officers
have flown to Islamabad to escort him on a private flight to Britain if the
extradition process moves quickly.
The moves coincided with the arrest of another
suspect in the alleged terrorist plot. The person was held on suspicion of being
involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Enditem
(Agencies)
