Police wait on extradition of bomb suspect

Osman Hussain

Extradition proceedings against the London bombing suspect held in Italy were delayed after an investigating magistrate said he had not received paperwork from Britain.

As further details emerged of how Osman Hussain was tracked by police on his cellphone, another judge in Rome issued domestic charges against him.

The British Home Office said it was confident the proceedings were "on track" and that Hussain would be returned to face trial within the three-month time limit of a new European arrest agreement.

Hussain, 27, is wanted over the failed bomb attack at Shepherd's Bush Tube station on July 21.

He was arrested without a struggle in Rome after police apparently persuaded his brother to hand over the keys of his flat.

Italian police said yesterday that they hoped Hussain would be extradited soon.

Carlo De Stefano, the head of Italy's anti-terrorist police, revealed that Hussain had injured his thigh while allegedly making his escape from the scene of the Shepherd's Bush attempted attack, contradicting claims by the suspect he had burned it while making explosives.

De Stefano said Hussain, one of five brothers, appeared to be a member of an ad hoc group, rather than a structured organisation.

British police were last night still questioning 18 people arrested over the past week, including three suspects for the July 21 attacks, Muktar Said Ibrahim, Ramzi Mohammed and Yasin Hassan Omar.

Mohammed's brother, Wahbi Mohammed, is also being questioned over the unexploded fifth bomb found after the attempted attacks.

Police arrested two men under anti-terrorism laws in south London on Monday in raids linked to the July 21 botched bombings. 

"They were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism," a police spokesman said.

Hussain was known as Hamdi Isaac in Italy and he is Ethiopian, not a Somali, Italian authorities said.

He changed his nationality on moving from Italy to England in 1996 to help get refugee status and aid.

Hussain and his brother Remzi have been initially charged with using false passports, and Hussain is also charged with being a member of an international terrorist group.

The start of the main extradition hearing was delayed yesterday because Britain had sent Italian authorities "only partial documentation", according to magistrates.

Domestic proceedings could be issued against Hussain in Italy, and they would normally take precedence over extradition, but Italian authorities are believed to be keen to co-operate with the British request.

Hussain's lawyer confirmed her client had asked not to be extradited to Britain, preferring to stay in Italy.

- INDEPENDENT, REUTERS