An Islamic radical described as Osama bin Laden's ambassador in Europe was today reported to have been seized in an armed raid in London.
Mr Abu Qatada (42), a cleric accused by police in eight countries of being a key figure in bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, is being held in Belmarsh Prison in southeast London, according to the London
Times
.
The Times said Mr Qatada was caught in a raid on a council house in Bermondsey, southeast London.
British Home Secretary Mr David Blunkett yesterday announced a suspected terrorist had been arrested under emergency powers introduced by the Government after the September 11th attacks, but he refused to identify the detainee or reveal where he was being held.
Home Office officials last night refused to confirm or deny claims - attributed to "security sources" - that the arrested man was Mr Qatada.
He has been on the run since December, after disappearing hours before the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act came into force. The act gives authorities the power to detain foreign nationals suspected of terrorism.
He is alleged to have recruited alleged shoe-bomber Mr Richard Reid and Mr Zacharias Moussaoui, who is being held under suspicion of involvement in planning the September 11th bombings.
A document was recently published on the Internet under Mr Moussaoui's name justifying the September 11th attacks on moral grounds.
PA