Guantanamo arrests rising

By ANDREW BUNCOMBE in Washington

The investigation into a possible security leak and spy ring at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba took a new turn yesterday after federal officials arrested a translator who worked at the base - the third person to be seized by authorities.

Ahmed Mehalba, a civilian employed as a translator on a contract basis, was arrested at Boston's Logan International Airport, having arrived on a flight from Cairo.

Mehalba was apparently arrested after customs agents discovered a CD that appeared to contain classified information about the prison camp.

The FBI was called in to interview Mehalba, who denied the documents were his.

The arrest of Mehalba - who arrived on an Al Italia flight via Milan - is the third in recent weeks involving people working at the base where about 660 alleged Taleban and al Qaeda prisoners are being held. Two United States military personnel are also in custody.

After searching his luggage and interviewing him, the FBI arrested Mehalba on charges of making false statements. The naturalised US citizen of Egyptian descent is being held in Boston.

Customs and Border Protection officers said that during a routine inspection they discovered a military ID identifying Mehalba as a contract linguist at Guantanamo Bay.

"Upon further examination, CBP officers found compact discs in Mehalba's baggage," a statement said. "At least one compact disc contained information that appeared to be classified."

Mehalba, said to be a physician by training, is the second translator at the base on Cuba to be arrested.

Senior US Airman Ahmad al-Halabi, 24, of Detroit, Michigan, who worked as an Arabic translator at the base, had previously been arrested and charged with spying for Syria and with aiding the enemy. He was charged after he was found to have classified information on a computer in violation of security rules.

The Pentagon also is investigating espionage allegations against Army Islamic chaplain James Yee, who ministered to many of the prisoners. He has been held in a military jail in South Carolina since September 10, but has not yet been charged.

Assistant US Attorney Michael Ricciuti, in Boston, has refused to discuss the latest arrest. He would not say whether making false statements was the only charge against Mehalba, or whether additional charges would be filed. Documents outlining Mehalba's arrest have been formally sealed.

The arrest of Mehalba comes as the European Parliament yesterday heard calls for the European Union to lobby the Bush Administration to either release or try 20 European citizens being held at the base.

- INDEPENDENT