Muslim cleared of Afghan death plot

A Muslim bookseller was cleared today at the Old Bailey of plotting the murder of the former leader of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.

Yasser Al-Siri, 38, was freed on bail but rearrested, on charges unknown, and was expected to appear on a preliminary extradition hearing at Bow Street magistrates' court later this afternoon.

Al-Siri, originally from Egypt, was described as "the innocent fall guy" by the Common Serjeant of London Peter Beaumont, who dismissed three charges under anti-terrorism legislation relating to the assassination of General Ahmed Shah Massoud by Karim Touzani and Kacem Bakkali.

Reporting restrictions were lifted and it can be revealed Touzani had been detained by immigration officers a year before but was released when he claimed political asylum.

Al-Siri, from Maida Vale, who ran a bookshop and the Islamic Observation Centre, admitted writing letters of accreditation for Touzani and Bakkali but believed they had been for a TV production team.

His legal team will apply for another, more minor charge, to be dropped.