Police continue to question 'bomb plot' suspects

Police have been granted extra time to continue questioning nine suspects in connection with an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights.

Police were granted another week to question eight of the suspects and a further 24 hours to question the ninth suspect, who has been named as Umair Hussain, 24, from east London.

Two other suspects were released without charge on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, eleven other suspects appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, charged in connection with the alleged plot and were remanded in custody.

Eight of the suspects were charged with conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism. They are: Tanvir Hussain, Umar Islam, Arafat Waheed Khan, Ahmed Abdullah Ali, Ibrahim Savant, Waheed Zaman, Assad Ali Sarwar and Adam Khatib.

All eight were remanded in custody until September 4 when they are due to appear at the Old Bailey.

Three other suspects were also charged with lesser terrorism offences. Mehran Hussain, who is reportedly the brother of Umair Hussain, and Cossar Ali - the only woman still being held in connection with the investigation and the mother of an eight-month-old baby - were both charged with failing to disclose information and were remanded in custody until September 19.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with possessing items of use to people preparing to commit acts of terror. He was remanded until August 29.

The charges relate to an alleged plot to blow up planes travelling from the UK to the US mid-flight, using liquid-based explosives, which was uncovered earlier this month. The discovery of the plot led to the cancellation of many flights, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of travellers.

Police are reportedly continuing to search woodland in Buckinghamshire in connection with the investigation, following an earlier search of woods in High Wycombe.

(KMcA)