British jet-plot suspect escapes

Rashid Rauf fled on Saturday after appearing before a judge at a court in the capital Islamabad in connection with an inquiry before his extradition to Britain, Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said.

The British High Commission is in touch with Pakistani authorities, and Ambassador Robert Brinkely spoke to Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz, who assured him the suspect's capture is a "priority," embassy spokeswoman Laura Davies said.

Police said Rauf managed to open his handcuffs and evade two police guards who were supposed to take him back to jail in nearby Rawalpindi.

"We are still trying to ascertain where he managed to escape," Mr Shah said, adding it was unclear if Rauf slipped away at the court complex or en route to the jail. "The two constables are being interrogated for their criminal negligence."

He said several security teams were combing different parts of the country to find Rauf.

Rauf, who is of Pakistani origin, was arrested in the country in August last year on a tip from British investigators.

Pakistan has described him as a key suspect in a purported plot to blow up jetliners flying from Britain to the United States, which prompted a major security alert at airports worldwide and increased restrictions on carry-on items. Rauf denied involvement in the plot.

Seventeen suspects have been charged in Britain, some with conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism. The prosecution later withdrew the case against Rauf, though he remained in jail awaiting a decision on the British extradition request.

Britain had asked Pakistan to hand him over in connection with a 2002 murder inquiry separate from the alleged terrorism plot. But Rauf's lawyer, Hashmat Habib, sought to block the move, saying the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.