Terror warning
September 5, 2010
German news magazine Der Spiegel says authorities are investigating reports that a German-born Islamic extremist arrested in Afghanistan has warned of possible terrorist attacks in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
The man, identified as Ahmad S, reportedly has ties to the Taiba mosque in Hamburg where the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks met. German authorities closed the mosque last month. The Spiegel report says Ahmad S made the statement under interrogation by the US military at Bagram military prison.
The 36 year-old suspect from Hamburg is alleged to be a member of the "Islamist movement of Uzbekistan," according to the report. The group is affiliated with the Taliban and has instigated attacks on Pakistani security forces and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
German media are reporting that Ahmad S was apprehended at the beginning of July. The German foreign ministry has only confirmed it was involved in providing consular assistance for a man held by the United States in Afghanistan.
Spiegel said he flew with his wife, a brother and another married couple to Pershawar via the Gulf state of Qatar before heading to the Afghan-Pakistan border.
Author: Nigel Tandy (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Toma Tasovac