April 7th, 2007

LONDON, England (AP) — Three men have appeared in a London court charged with conspiring with the suicide bombers who killed 52 commuters on London’s transport system in 2005.

Mohammed Shakil, 30; Sadeer Saleem, 26; and Waheed Ali, 23, are the first people to be charged in connection with the bombings, the deadliest attack on London since World War II.

The men, wearing track tops, spoke to confirm their names and ages and to acknowledge they understood the charges against them during Saturday’s hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates Court.

Prosecutors charge that between November 1, 2004, and June 29, 2005, they conspired to cause explosions on London’s transport network or at tourist attractions in London “of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury.”

It is the first official suggestion that the July 7 plot might have targeted tourist landmarks. The bombs, carried in knapsacks, exploded on three subway trains and a double-decker bus.

The three suspects are all from the Beeston area of Leeds, in northern England, which was home to several of the July 7, 2005, bombers.

Two of the men were arrested March 22 as they prepared to fly to Pakistan from Manchester Airport. The third was detained in Leeds on the same day.

Police have said they expect to make more arrests in the case.

Judge Timothy Workman rejected a bail request by Saleem’s lawyer. The other defendants did not apply for bail. The three men were ordered detained until their next court appearance, at London’s Central Criminal Court, on April 20.

(source)