UK terror plot suspect firm believer in jihad, says fellow inmate

Apr 17, 2007, 9:31 GMT

Islamabad - A Briton of Pakistani origin who is a key suspect in foiled plane bombings over London in 2006 said every Muslim is obligated to wage jihad, or holy war, the Daily Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Rashid Rauf, the 25-year-old leader of the failed plot, is currently facing trial in Pakistan after being arrested last August in the garrison town of Rawalpindi for possessing hydrogen peroxide chemicals that can be used to make explosives.

Rauf said he believes that jihad is every Moslem's obligation, the terrorism suspect's jailmate, Mehboob Ilahi, told the Daily Times on his release from the prison after serving a six-month term.

According to Ilahi, the alleged plotter was a 'very pious Moslem' who came to Pakistan to attend an Islamic conference.

'He wants to live in Pakistan because he is against the un-Islamic British society,' the former cellmate said.

Ilahi also claimed that Rauf was severely tortured by police during interrogation and at one point he fell unconscious for three days following a sound beating.

Authorities last week remanded Rauf in custody for another two months.

An anti-terrorism court in December 2006 dropped terrorism charges against him, but the government in Pakistan's central Punjab province challenged the verdict in the higher court.

Britain has sought the extradition of Rauf in connection with the unresolved murder of his uncle in Birmingham more than four years ago. However, the government in Islamabad has refused the demand, saying he was facing trial in Pakistan.