Sweden extradites suspected Islamist terrorist to Germany

May 18, 2007, 12:11 GMT

Karlsruhe, Germany - Sweden has extradited a 24-year-old Islamist to Germany on charges of recruiting in Europe for an al- Qaeda-linked group mounting terrorist attacks in Iraq, the German Public Prosecutor announced in Karslruhe Friday.

According to the public prosecutor's office, 24-year-old Morrocan Abdelali M. was handed over to Germany on Tuesday.

He is accused of assisting the alleged al-Qaeda terrorist Redouane e-H, who was arrested in Hamburg last July on charges of recruiting in Europe for an al-Qaeda-linked group mounting terrorist attacks in Iraq.

A 36-year-old man of Moroccan origin who lived in Kiel, northern Germany until his arrest, e-H is alleged to have transmitted messages to Said Bahaji, one of the eight alleged 9-11 plotters from Hamburg.

Abdelali M. was arrested in Sweden in March 26 and has been held there since awaiting the verdict of an appeal against his extradition.

He appeared before the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe Wednesday where he was remanded in custody.

Abdelali M. is also charged with being the founder of a new terrorist group in June and July 2006, which was planning to operate in Sudan.

The group aimed to open a new 'front' in Sudan to wage jihad or holy war against 'Crusaders,' an Islamist term for what are perceived as threatening western nations.

The 32-year-old Islamist, Thaer A, was extradited from Sweden to Germany on April 4.