Jet Bomb Suspects to Remain in Custody

An artist's impression of from left to right, Mohammed Shamin Uddin, Nabeel Hussain and Mohammed Yasar Gulzar appearing in the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, England, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, charged in connection with the alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners. The three are charged with conspiracy to murder and with the intent to commit terrorism by preparing to smuggle liquid explosives aboard the planes, Metropolitan Police said. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Cook/PA) (Elizabeth Cook - AP)

LONDON -- Five suspects who have not been charged in an alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound airliners with liquid explosives can be held for another week, a judge ruled Wednesday.

The decision means that investigators can continue questioning the five men until Sept. 6, when they either will have to be charged or released. British law allows police to hold suspected terrorists for a maximum of 28 days without charge, subject to court approval.

None of the five suspects was identified, but lawyer Khalid Elahi said his client, Muhammed Usman Saddique, 24, was among them. In brief remarks outside the Paddington Green police station, Elahi said Saddique had been strip-searched by investigators.

"My client has had a very difficult 21 days in police custody," he said. "During this time he has been questioned continuously on a regular basis under extremely difficult conditions."

Of the 25 people originally arrested in raids earlier this month, 15 have been charged. In addition to the five who remain in custody without charge, five others have been released.

Eleven have been charged on those counts of conspiracy to murder and preparing to commit terrorist acts. Four others are accused of lesser offenses, including withholding information about a planned terrorist act from police.

Earlier Wednesday, three suspects were denied bail during their arraignment.

Mohammed Yasar Gulzar, 25, Mohammed Shamin Uddin, 35, and Nabeel Hussain, 22, were charged Tuesday with conspiracy to commit murder and preparing to commit terrorism by plotting to smuggle liquid explosives aboard the planes, Metropolitan Police said.

District Judge Nicholas Evans denied Hussain's application for bail. The other two suspects did not seek bail. Their next hearing was scheduled for Sept. 18.

On Tuesday, a judge ordered Nabeel's brother, Mehran Hussain, held in custody until Sept. 19 in connection with the alleged plot. Their other brother, Umair Hussain, is also in custody charged with failing to disclose information.

Investigators have said they are analyzing thousands of pieces of evidence seized in searches of at least 50 properties and two stretches of woodland.

Hundreds of hours of covert audio and video surveillance are being examined, along with at least six alleged martyrdom videotapes, law enforcement officials said.

Other documents recovered by police include alleged wills made out by men intending to commit suicide acts, officials said, including one document that refers to the blessing of "limbs torn away" in a martyrdom operation.

Police have discovered chemicals that can be used to make bombs, including hydrogen peroxide, and electrical components during their searches, said Peter Clarke, head of Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist department.

More than 8,000 items of data storage, such as CDs, DVDs and memory sticks, were found, authorities said.

___

Associated Press Writers David Stringer and Katie Fretland contributed to this report.