CAIRO, July 18 (UPI) -- Egyptian chemist Magdi al-Nashar, suspected of involvement in the London explosions, told investigators he knew one of the bombers, it was reported Monday. Egypt's official al-Ahram daily quoted an unidentified security official as saying al-Nashar told the Egyptian authorities he knew Pakistani suspect Hasib Hussein, saying he met him at Leeds University mosque. The official told the paper the chemist had rented out a house to Hussein in Leeds that belonged to an Iraqi doctor | Iraqi doctor? When did he come in? |
, but insisted he knew nothing about plans to blow up public transport facilities in London on July 7. | "Sure, I let them mix something up in my bathtub, but I don't know anything about explosives. It's not like I'm a chem......,er, I'm being framed!" |
The official said al-Nashar denied any direct or indirect involvement in the London explosions, adding the British authorities have not yet provided any evidence or information that would indict the chemist.
The Egyptian authorities arrested al-Nashar in a Cairo suburb Thursday at the request of Scotland Yard when the London authorities found his name in a phone book belonging to one of the suspected bombers.
Additional: Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adli has criticized British police for coming to "hasty conclusions" about the involvement of an Egyptian biochemist in the London bombings. The minister told the pro-government daily, Al Jumhuriya, reports of the scientist's links to al-Qaida are "groundless." Prosecutor General Maher Abdel Wahid also said Egypt and Britain have no extradition treaty, so even if British authorities charged the chemist, Cairo need not send him back. Egyptian police arrested Magdi el-Nashar, 33, in a Cairo suburb last Thursday after being given his name by British officials.
Investigators found explosives in a house in Alexandra Grove, Leeds, to which el-Nashar was reported to have links. | Like having his name on the lease? |
El-Nashar, who had recently completed a PhD in biochemistry at Leeds University, has admitted knowing one of the bombers but denies any knowledge of the attacks. He told interrogators he returned to Cairo a week before the bombings to find a wife, and intended to return to Leeds. | Thought you were just on vacation? |
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