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Alleged al-Qaida representative worked at Sydney airport: Govt
Canberra, June 10: A man who the United States alleges has links to the al-Qaida terror network worked as a baggage handler at Australia`s largest and busiest airport, the government acknowledged today.
Canberra, June 10: A man who the United States alleges has links to the al-Qaida terror network worked as a baggage handler at Australia's largest and busiest airport, the government acknowledged today.
Australian Broadcasting Corp. Television reported
yesterday that a man the U S Central Intelligence Agency has
named as al-Qaida's representative in Australia worked as a
baggage handler for national carrier Qantas Airways at
Sydney's international airport ahead of the 2000 Olympic Games
there.
The report said the man was later removed from his job at the airport following a security review. It did not give further details and it wasn't immediately clear whether he was an Australian citizen.
``There's no doubt that it is of some concern that he was a baggage handler,'' Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio today.
``We've been concerned about him and, as you may know, I have confiscated his passport so he's not able to travel,'' Downer said, adding that the man has appealed that decision.
The man is currently under investigation by the Australian authorities, but has not been detained or charged. Downer said the CIA report contained some information from Australian intelligence agencies, but would not provide any more details.
``Australian authorities maintain constant vigilance in terms of these people and these organizations, but you can't arrest and charge people unless they've broken the law,'' he said.
Bureau Report
The report said the man was later removed from his job at the airport following a security review. It did not give further details and it wasn't immediately clear whether he was an Australian citizen.
``There's no doubt that it is of some concern that he was a baggage handler,'' Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio today.
``We've been concerned about him and, as you may know, I have confiscated his passport so he's not able to travel,'' Downer said, adding that the man has appealed that decision.
The man is currently under investigation by the Australian authorities, but has not been detained or charged. Downer said the CIA report contained some information from Australian intelligence agencies, but would not provide any more details.
``Australian authorities maintain constant vigilance in terms of these people and these organizations, but you can't arrest and charge people unless they've broken the law,'' he said.
Bureau Report