London bombing suspect detained in Zambia
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-29 22:01

Authorities in Zambia have detaineda British national, Rashid Aswat, in connection with the July 7 London bombing, the British High Commission in Lusaka confirmed Friday.

"Yes, I am aware of this. But I am not in position to give further details," said Alfred Akapalayi, the press and public relations officer of the High Commission, told Xinhua on the phone. He referred further queries to the Foreign Office in London.

Aswat, 31, was detained in the Zambian border town of Livingstone after he crossed from Zimbabwe, the Associated Press (AP) quoted an unnamed Zambian official as saying. No further details were given.

Zambian police spokesperson Brenda Muntemba told Xinhua that she does not have information on the case, which she said is beinghandled by the Office of the President.

Aswat, a British citizen of Indian descent, was detained last week, the AP report said, quoting earlier reports by the Los Angeles Times and other media.

According to media reports, Aswat caught the attention of police when it was discovered that about 20 calls have been placed from his cell phone to some of the four suicide bombers known to investigators.

He was also implicated in a plan to establish a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon, in the United States.