The fourth key suspect in the attempted July 21 bombings in London underwent questioning in Italy on Tuesday, while a notorious Islamist cleric vowed to return to Britain - if the government lets him - after unexpectedly leaving the country for Lebanon.
Hamdi Issac, 27, an Ethiopian-born British national, was grilled by an Italian magistrate, then by visiting police officers from London, at Regina Coeli prison in the Italian capital.
He is wanted for attempting to set off a bomb at Shepherd's Bush subway station in west London, as part of a failed attempt to repeat the July 7 attacks on three Underground trains and a bus that left 56 people dead, including four apparent suicide bombers.
"The co-operation with the English officials is very good. The first part of the interrogation was mine, followed by Scotland Yard's questions," said the Italian judge, Domenico Miceli.
He said Issac replied calmly and without hesitation for two hours.
Earlier three alleged accomplices appeared in a high-security court on Monday in south-east London, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy and possession of explosives. They were remanded in custody until November 14.
In London, a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman would only say that members of the Anti-Terrorist Branch had gone to Rome "in connection with their inquiries into the incidents of July 21".
Issac, also known as Hussain Osman, was arrested in Italy on July 29, several days after fleeing Britain, apparently by Eurostar train to Paris.
He has been quoted as admitting to involvement in the July 21 incident, which provoked fears of a sustained bombing campaign in London, but insisted the objective was to sow panic, not to kill.
The Italian authorities have charged Isaac with "international terrorism" and holding false identity papers. A hearing into a British request for his extradition is set for August 17.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005

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