Britain requests extradition from Pakistan of suspect in jetliner terror plot

Monday, August 28th 2006, 6:23 am

By: News On 6

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Britain has requested the extradition of Rashid Rauf, a Briton arrested in Pakistan earlier this month in connection with the alleged plot to blow up U.S. bound jetliners, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Monday.

Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said Rauf earlier identified by Pakistan as a "key person'' in the plot was being investigated for alleged links with al-Qaida, in connection with terrorist threats in Britain and in Pakistan.

Asked if the British government had sought Rauf's extradition, she told a news conference, "Yes, they have sought his extradition and the matter is under consideration.''

Aiden Liddle, a spokesman for the British High Commission in Islamabad, said he could neither confirm or deny that the request had been made. He said that as a matter of policy, such requests can only be confirmed once extradition has been carried out.