U.S. seeks extradition of Saudi in bombings

Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999

LONDON {AP} A Saudi Arabian suspected in the bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa was a key member of Osama bin Laden's alleged terror network, a lawyer for the United States said Friday.

At an extradition hearing Thursday to determine whether Khaled Al Fawwaz, 36, can be sent from Britain to stand trial in the United States, James Lewis said the suspect was leader of the British branch of bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization.

He said evidence was found at Al Fawwaz' home showing he had an operational role in the group.

Among other things was a computer seized at the north London house, which revealed orders issued by bin Laden.

Bin Laden is suspected of financing the bombings of the embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which killed 224 people and wounded thousands.

Al Fawwaz, who was arrested Sept. 28, is charged in the United States with conspiracy to murder in connection with the embassy bombings.

But for extradition purposes, he is accused of having an agreement with bin Laden and others calling for the killing of Americans throughout the world, especially soldiers and diplomats.

On Thursday, the first session of the extradition hearing at Bow Street Magistrates Court, Lewis said Al Fawwaz was closely associated with bin Laden and that during 1993 and 1994 he attended meetings with leaders of the organization in Khartoum, Sudan.

The hearing was adjourned until Sept. 4.

Two men, Mohamed Rashed Daoud Al-'Owhali and Mohamed Sadeek Odeh, were taken to the United States from Kenya in August on murder and conspiracy charges in connection with the Nairobi bombing.