Tube blast man seeks life in Italy

ROME - Anti-terrorist squad detectives were last night questioning a man arrested at a flat linked to London Tube bombing suspect Hamdi Isaac as fresh complications arose in the process to extradite him to Britain from Italy.

The latest arrest, following raids at two properties in south London, bring to 16 the number of people still being held in police custody in Britain over the July 21 attacks. Isaac and his two brothers are also being held in Italy.

Reports indicate Isaac, who had called himself Osman Hussain in England, was negotiating a deal "to start a new life in Italy" in return for providing evidence on the network in Italy that helped him flee Britain.

The Ansa news agency reported Isaac was staying in Italy and security sources quoted by Il Mesaggero said negotiations between the suspect and Italian authorities had almost certainly "frozen indefinitely" extradition prospects.

British police confirmed that a flat raided in Stockwell was an address given by Isaac to officials. Last Wednesday, officers raided a house nearby, where he was reported to have been living with his wife and three children.

The latest raid was followed by similar operations at another address in Stockwell and at a property in nearby Clapham, where another man was arrested.

Sources suggested that the searches targeted people suspected of giving aid and assistance to alleged bombers, rather than those who might have carried out bombing attacks themselves.

Police are still questioning the three other suspects for the July 21 bombings - Muktar Said-Ibrahim, Ramzi Mohammed and Yasin Omar.

There were suggestions that Isaac could be "temporarily" extradited to Britain for interrogation.

But Isaac's lawyer has warned it could be a long drawn out extradition procedure, even though it is a test case under the new European arrest warrant supposed to expedite such cases within within two months.

Judge Franco Ionta, head of the anti-terrorism pool of magistrates in Rome, said Isaac will stay in Italian custody "as long as there are investigative needs".

He indicated British police may be allowed to question Isaac in Italy.

The main extradition hearing could be as late as September and, even if won by Britain, Isaac would have a right to appeal to Italy's supreme court in support of his request to stay in Italy.

Italy dragged its feet for years over adopting the European arrest warrant system, reputedly because of fears by senior Government officials that it could be used against them in international corruption or organised crime cases.

Now the measure appears to risk emasculation because a new anti-terrorist package under which terrorists who turn state's evidence may be offered residence permits and new identities, and a regular state stipend.

The Crown Prosecution Service in London denied suggestions from Italy that the warrant submitted to the Italian authorities by the National Criminal Intelligence Service lacked crucial documents.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been asked to clarify a couple of points of detail, but it is a simple matter being dealt with. We are not aware of any other problems or delays."

- INDEPENDENT