British Airways 'terror plot' worker appears in court

A British Airways computer expert has appeared in court charged with planning suicide bombings.

Rajib Karim, 30, of Newcastle, faced three charges under counter terrorism legislation when he appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He is accused of two counts of planning suicide bombings and his own martyrdom and also of fundraising for the purposes of terrorism.

District Judge Timothy Workman adjourned the case until 26 March.

Prosecutor Colin Gibbs said all three offences are alleged to have taken place between April 2006 and February this year.

He told the court the charge sheet alleged Karim shared information about his work, including security measures, and offered to take advantage of planned strikes by BA staff to join the airline's cabin crew.

Bangladesh-born Karim, who was remanded in custody, was arrested by officers from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command, working with colleagues in the north east of England, on 25 February.

They swooped on the office complex where he worked in Newcastle as a computer software developer and searched his home in the city.

Scotland Yard also arrested three men in Slough, Berkshire, during the inquiry.

They were released without charge on Tuesday.