NSW: New claims terror suspect was in Aust to train as medic

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2004
NSW: New claims terror suspect was in Aust to train as medic

The lawyer for 21-year-old terrorist suspect IZHAR UL HAQUE has rejected claims his
client may have been in Australia training as a medic to assist terrorist fighters in
the field.

UL HAQUE, from Glenwood in Sydney's west, was charged last week with training with
the Pakistan-based terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Toiba, or LET.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports a Pakistani terrorism expert as saying UL HAQUE may
have been studying in Australia to become part of a terrorist medical unit.

Author and journalist AMIR RANA says al-Qaeda and LET have long wanted to establish
their own medical field units to care for injured fighters and have been sending students
abroad.

He says he's been told by LET sources that students have been sent to London, Europe
and Australia.

But Sydney lawyer ADAM HOUDA says the claims don't apply to his client UL HAQUE, and
are mere speculation and rubbish.

He says UL HAQUE remains in Goulburn jail.

AAP RTV kd/nf/rsm/jmt

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST (SYDNEY)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.