From the Los Angeles Times

Pakistani court frees British suspect

From the Associated Press

November 16, 2007

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Thursday ordered the release of a Briton suspected in an alleged plot to blow up jetliners flying from Britain to the United States, his lawyer and a court official said.

The court in Rawalpindi ordered the release of Rashid Rauf, a British Muslim of Pakistani origin, after the prosecution withdrew the case, attorney Hashmat Habib said. The lawyer said Rauf probably will be deported to Britain.

Pakistani police arrested Rauf in August 2006 on a tip from British authorities and have described him as a key suspect in the alleged plot, which prompted a major security alert and tighter restrictions on carry-on items.

Rauf had been charged in Pakistan with possessing chemicals that could be used in making explosives and with carrying forged travel documents.

Habib said he had already filed a petition with a higher court seeking to block Rauf's deportation.

Britain had asked Pakistan to extradite Rauf in connection with a 2002 homicide inquiry that is separate from the alleged terrorism plot.