Briton cleared of bomb plot involvement

A British man has been cleared of terrorism charges connected to an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights.

Rashid Rauf was cleared of terrorism charges by a court in Pakistan. The anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi found that there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Rauf had been involved in terrorist activities or belonged to a terrorist organisation.

Mr Rauf has also been charged wtih forgery and possession of explosives.

He had been arrested in Pakistan in August along with six other people, although he was the only one who was identified. The arrest was connected to an alleged plot to blow up several transatlantic flights.

Seventeen people were arrested in Britain in connection with the alleged plot, which led to massive disruptions at airports across the UK.

Pakistan's government had suggested that Mr Rauf was one of the ringleaders behind the alleged plot.

It also emerged that the British government had requested the extradition of Mr Rauf in relation to a murder committed in 2002. The victim is believed to be an uncle of Mr Rauf's.

(KMcA/EF)