Abedin team may go abroad

Moinul Abedin refused to answer police questions

Detectives are to continue their investigations into the activities of a Birmingham man jailed for 20 years for bomb making.

Moinul Abedin, aged 27, was said to have amassed a large of amount of high explosive in two houses in Birmingham.

But police have revealed that although he was arrested in November 2000, Abedin refused to answer questions in interview.

At a news conference Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sims, of West Midlands police, said officers had so far ruled out any connection between Abedin and known terrorist organisations.

Abedin used household items from DIY stores

"We are continuing to investigate his (Abedin's) activities - it does not end here.

"It has never been clear what the target or targets that were being aimed at were.

"We will continue to liaise with other agencies in this country, and if necessary, abroad, to see if more intelligence links can be established."

Abedin, a father-of-two, gave no indication as to what had driven him to embark on a bombing campaign.

Police said there was "nothing remarkable" about his life since settling in Birmingham after moving from Bangladesh as a child.

Mr Sims said that the West Midlands had been spared the effects of 70 kilograms of volatile and potentially lethal explosives.

"Naturally, we are pleased that there were no casualties as there was every likelihood that if the explosives had been used in an attack, lives would have been lost with added considerable damage to property.

"A considerable amount of high explosives has been removed from the streets of the West Midlands as a result of this investigation."