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| Britain | ||
| Egypt demands explanation of arrest of renowned architect | ||
| 2004-07-26 | ||
| The Egyptian government demanded an explanation from Britain over the arrest of a renowned Egyptian architect who had reportedly been due to be a dinner guest of Queen Elizabeth II. "The foreign ministry received the news of the arrest of Professor Mamduh Hamza with great concern," Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told reporters. "I have asked our embassy in London to make urgent contact with the British authorities to establish the true nature of this case and the charges being levelled against him." Designer of the new Alexandria Library, Hamza is one of Egypt's most celebrated architects. The Cairo press reported that he had been visiting London to attend a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth. Abul Gheit said the British authorities acknowledged that there had initially been some doubt whether Hamza was the suspect sought, but insisted they had now found their man. The Cairo tabloid Sawt al-Umma said Hamza faced charges of "plotting to assassinate Egyptian government ministers and other figures," but the foreign minister said he could neither confirm nor deny the report as he was still awaiting Britain's response.
A foreign ministry official contacted by AFP refused to comment. But a spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said Hamza had appeared in court earlier this month. "Dr Mamduh Hamza, 57 years old, an Egyptian with no residence in the UK, appeared in custody at Bow Street magistrate court on the 14th of July, charged with four counts of solliciting to murder and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on the 21st of July," she said. "I don't know what happened after that," said the spokeswoman, who did not confirm either Hamza's profession or the date of his arrest.
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| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Maybe they can get Frank G to design them a litter tiny litehouse. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-07-26 5:51:19 PM |
| #2 Designer of the new Alexandria Library They downsized the old one seeing as it only has to hold circulating copies of the holy kram. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-07-26 5:50:26 PM |
| #1 been due to be a dinner guest of Queen Elizabeth II... charged with four counts of solliciting to murder Surname: Hamza. Mmmmmm... Interesting. |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-07-26 2:50:00 PM |