Police charge 12th person in plot to blow up jets

Friday, August 25, 2006 As many as 10 jets were to be blown up in the plot, authorities said. LONDON (AP) — A 12th suspect was charged Thursday in the alleged plot to use liquid explosives to down U.S. airliners over the Atlantic, British police said. In another development in the case, Britain's charity regulator froze the bank accounts of an aid organization while it investigated alleged links to the foiled plot. The suspects are linked to an alleged plot to blow up as many as 10 passenger jets. The case set off major terror alerts in the United States and Britain when it was revealed two weeks ago. Umair Hussain, 24, who was arrested Aug. 10, was charged with having information about a possible terrorist act and not disclosing it, Scotland Yard said. He will be arraigned today. Eight of the other suspects appeared in court this week on charges of conspiracy to murder and preparing to commit acts of terrorism. Three others — including the mother of an 8-month-old baby — were charged with lesser offenses, including failing to disclose information. More time for probe On Wednesday, British police were given another week to quiz eight other suspects who were arrested two weeks ago but have not yet been charged in the plot. Under British anti-terrorism law, detectives can seek a judge's permission to hold suspects for up to 28 days before they must be charged or released. All the suspects were arrested in a series of raids in London, Birmingham and suburban High Wycombe on Aug. 10. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.