Zambia deports terrorism suspect

LUSAKA – A British man arrested in Zambia two weeks ago was yesterday deported to his home country, where he is reportedly suspected of being the mastermind behind last month’s deadly bomb attacks in London.

“(Haroon) Aswat was deported to his home country this morning (Sunday),” Zambian Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba told AFP. Aswat “left at 9am from Lusaka international airport to Britain in a chartered plane,” a source at the airport confirmed.Aswat, 31, has been named in US and British media reports as the alleged mastermind behind the July 7 blasts that killed 56 people including four suicide bombers, but British police have not confirmed that he is wanted in connection with the attacks.Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa announced on Wednesday that Aswat would be sent to Britain.”We had discussions with the governments of the US and Britain and finally agreed that Mr Aswat should be deported to his country which is Britain,” he told reporters.”He was being held for violating immigration regulations.After investigations it was discovered that he is allegedly linked to terrorism,” Mwanawasa said.Aswat was deported – and not extradited – to Britain because he was officially being held for breaching immigration laws.Aswat, who entered Zambia on July 6 after spending time in South Africa and Botswana, had been on a watch list of Western intelligence agencies who tipped off Zambian authorities.He was arrested in Lusaka on July 20.US authorities have also reportedly sought to question Aswat over alleged attempts to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon.- Nampa-AFPAswat “left at 9am from Lusaka international airport to Britain in a chartered plane,” a source at the airport confirmed.Aswat, 31, has been named in US and British media reports as the alleged mastermind behind the July 7 blasts that killed 56 people including four suicide bombers, but British police have not confirmed that he is wanted in connection with the attacks.Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa announced on Wednesday that Aswat would be sent to Britain.”We had discussions with the governments of the US and Britain and finally agreed that Mr Aswat should be deported to his country which is Britain,” he told reporters.”He was being held for violating immigration regulations.After investigations it was discovered that he is allegedly linked to terrorism,” Mwanawasa said.Aswat was deported – and not extradited – to Britain because he was officially being held for breaching immigration laws.Aswat, who entered Zambia on July 6 after spending time in South Africa and Botswana, had been on a watch list of Western intelligence agencies who tipped off Zambian authorities.He was arrested in Lusaka on July 20.US authorities have also reportedly sought to question Aswat over alleged attempts to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon.- Nampa-AFP