Terror charge man remanded in custody
icwales.icnetwork.co.uk Feb 18 2003
The Western Mail - The National Newspaper Of Wales A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged under the Terrorism Act after a hand grenade was allegedly found in his luggage as he arrived on a flight at Gatwick airport.
Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan was stopped by Customs officers on Thursday after arriving from Caracas, Venezuela, on a British Airways flight.
Rahaham-Alan, a 37-year-old Venezuelan, appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London to face charges of possessing an article for the purpose of committing a terrorist act, possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or damage property and carrying a dangerous article on an aircraft.
Rahaham-Alan, bearded and with long black hair, walked into court dressed in a baggy blue jumper.
He sat in the dock with a single police officer and a woman Spanish interpreter during the five-minute hearing.
His lawyer, Peter Corrigan, said he could understand the proceedings in English but the interpreter would provide clarification if necessary.
Rahaham-Alan stood and spoke in a barely audible voice as he gave his full name and date of birth to the courts.
He gave an address in Caracas, Venezuela.
The clerk read him three charges.
She said, "On the 13th of February this year within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court you had in your possession an article - that was a grenade - for use in the commission of an act of terrorism.
"On the same day you had in your possession an explosive substance, that being a grenade, with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property.
"The same day whilst on a British registered aircraft you had in your possession a dangerous article. That was a hand grenade."
Prosecutor Susan Hemming asked for all the charges to be transferred to the Old Bailey. There was no application for bail.
District Judge Nicholas Evans concluded the five-minute hearing by telling the defendant that he was transferring the case to the Old Bailey under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act.
He remanded Rahaham-Alan in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on February 24.