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Met adviser wanted over terror links runs 'unclean' noodle bar
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter29.12.08
A MAN wanted by Interpol for links to an alleged terrorist organisation is being prosecuted in London for running an unhygienic Chinese noodle bar.
Mohamed Ali Harrath, co-founder of the Tunisian Islamic Front, faces eight charges over the management of Chopstix, a fast-food restaurant in the West End.
Mr Harrath, 45, denies both claims - that his organisation is engaged in terrorist activities and that his noodle bar is in breach of health laws. Last week it emerged that he was an adviser to the Met on Islamic extremism.
Westminster council said today that Mr Harrath, who is listed as the restaurant's proprietor, is due to appear before City of Westminster magistrates in February.
According to the council, environmental health inspectors allegedly found Chopstix had failed to keep its premises and equipment clean enough to handle and prepare food, and had "inadequate" procedures to control pests.
A source at Westminster council said: "This is a serious case and these are serious charges." Mr Harrath was unavailable for comment.
The noodle bar occupies a prime site in Irving Street, yards from Leicester Square. The restaurant is currently being kept open although it was previously shut down by environmental health officers in 2004 for alleged breaches of food hygiene laws, according to a council source. Mr Harrath is listed as a director of a string of companies.
It emerged last week that he has been the subject of an Interpol "red notice" since 1992 because of his alleged activities in Tunisia. The Interpol website lists him as "wanted" by Tunisia for the following offences: counterfeiting/forgery; crimes involving the use of weapons/explosives; terrorism. But it also emerged that he had been advising Scotland Yard on countering Muslim extremism. Mr Harrath has said he was "regularly consulted in an advisory capacity by the Muslim Contact Unit of the British police for guidance on best practice in relation to counter-terrorism issues and combating extremism".
Although no evidence exists linking Mr Harrath to terrorism activity, Interpol continues to list him as a terror suspect on its website. He is understood to be trying to have the "red notice" - its highest level of alert - removed.
