London bombings: Egyptian chemist set free

Authorities today released an Egyptian chemist detained for questioning following the July 7 bombings in London, an Interior Ministry official said.

Magdy el-Nashar had been sought by Britain in connection with the attacks in London, which killed at least 56 people in explosions on London’s Underground and on a bus. El-Nashar was arrested by the Egyptians soon after the bombings, and officials from Scotland Yard travelled to Egypt to attend his questioning.

An official from the ministry’s media office said he was released after authorities found no evidence against him and no links to either the attacks or to al-Qaida.

“He is at home,” said the official on condition of anonymity because he was speaking before an announcement from the ministry.

“There is nothing against him,” the official said when asked whether el-Nashar would be extradited to Britain. Egypt has previously said it would not hand him over.

El-Nashar, 33, who briefly studied at a North Carolina university and obtained a doctorate from Leeds University in England, was detained at the request of the British government, which suspected him of links to some of the four bombers, three of whom are from Leeds.

Traces of TATP, used by bomber Richard Reid who failed in 2001 to blow up an aeroplane with explosives in his shoes, were reportedly found in el-Nashar’s apartment during raids in Leeds.