The Voice of the Cape (South Africa) 25/01/2010

Lawyers for Mohamed Ali Harrath who was arrested at OR Tambo airport on Sunday on terrorism charges are fighting back on Monday morning, claiming that his arrest had been unlawful and fraught with irregularities. According to Zahid Asmal, news director of Channel Islam International, who was at the police station in Johannesburg last night to follow up on the case, no charges had been laid yet against Harrath, the chief executive officer of Islam Channel, a UK-based satellite broadcaster.

The Tunisian has been on an Interpol wanted list since 1992, after his homeland accused him of attempting to create "an Islamic state by means of armed revolutionary violence". Harrath denies the charges. "(His lawyers) find irregularities in his arrest, as well as on the Interpol wanted list which still exists after 20 years. We find that a bit strange. The lawyers are alleging that he should be released this morning," Asmal told VOC's Breakfast Beat just after 8am.

He added that if Harrath was not released, an application would be made to the high court to seek his release. Asked if Harrath could face extradition to Tunisia from South Africa Asmal said: "I'm not to sure if South Africa has such an extradition treaty with Tunisia, but we it becomes the prerogative of the president to decide over that extradition, if indeed it exists."

Asmal said in a recent case where the basis was similar as in the Harrath case, President Zuma had opted not to sign the extradition order. At the same time, he said, Muslims needed to remain wary. "The plot thickens against Muslims in this country and we've got to be on the alert and respond to situations as quickly as possible."

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BBC 25/01/2010

The UK terror threat level is being raised from "substantial" to "severe", Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said.

The new alert level means a terrorist attack is considered "highly likely". It had stood at substantial since July.

Mr Johnson refused to say it was linked to the failed Detroit airliner bombing, and said the government would not reveal specific intelligence details.

The home secretary stressed there was no intelligence to suggest a terrorist attack was imminent.

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BBC 25/01/2010

Two men have been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of Constable Peader Heffron.

A 33-year-old was arrested on Monday morning in north Belfast and a 34-year-old in west Belfast. Both men are being questioned at Antrim police station.

Constable Heffron was critically injured by a dissident republican car bomb on 8 January.

He had to have his right leg amputated and has just regained consciousness in recent days.

On Monday, police said a number of searches connected with the arrests were ongoing.

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BBC 25/01/2010

Shots have been fired at a police station in County Armagh.

The gun attack happened at about 2130 GMT on Sunday when a car pulled up at the gates of the police station in Crossmaglen.

Two people fired a number of shots at the building. No-one was injured in the attack.

The gunmen made off in the direction of Cullaville. It is the second gun attack on the base in a month. On 30 December, a number of shots were fired.

Dissident republicans are thought to be responsible for the attacks.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Terry Hearty said: "Any shooting is a worry for the people in the town. I just want to totally and utterly condemn it.

"It is not doing any good for the town. We have a number of major developments over the last number of years.

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