Special Report: Major UK air terror plot thwarted

The combine photo on Aug. 21, 2006 shows the UK police searching the homes of suspects.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Eleven people, including the mother of a baby, appeared in court for the first time Tuesday in connection with an alleged plot at London's Heathrow Airport to blow up U.S.-bound airliners.

    The 10 male suspects range in age from 17 to 28. The 11th suspect, Cossar Ali, 23, from Walthamstow, East London, is the only woman among the defendants. She is the mother of an eight-month-old infant and the wife of another suspect.

    Ali was one of two people charged with failing to disclose information that could help prevent a terrorist act. But her lawyer, Nadeen Afzal, told reporters outside the courthouse that Ali should be released because the government's evidence against her "doesn't exist."

    London police charged the 11 suspects on Monday.

    Peter Clarke, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, said at a press conference that eight people were charged with conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism.

    Three other suspects, one of whom a 17-year-old, were charged with other offenses under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

    The bomb-making equipment, including chemicals and electrical components, had been found, Clarke said, adding that a number of video recordings known as "martyrdom videos" had also been recovered.

    Of the 24 suspects arrested earlier this month, two have been released without charge and 11 continue to be held for questioning. Enditem

    (Agencies)

Britain not extradite plane plot suspect: Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan said on Tuesday that the British government has not sought extradition of a suspect arrested in connection with an alleged plot to bomb America-bound planes. >>>

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