CIA file on terror suspect

A Filipino living in Belfast who is alleged to have links to a group connected to al-Qaeda has been refused bail at the High Court.

Jaybe Ofrasio, 31, is alleged to have sent emails from a west Belfast library about the funding of terrorist training camps in the Philippines.

His email username, Moroblade, was allegedly detected on a computer in Indonesia after the arrest of Mohammed Nasir bin Abbas, a leader of Jemaah Islamiah - an Islamic militant group said to be linked to al-Qaeda.

Mr Ofrasio has been in custody since he was arrested at his Hawthorne Street home in January on suspicion of making money and property available to terrorists.

His bail application had been adjourned until Friday so that his lawyers could inspect - but not copy - secret CIA intelligence documents which are now with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Barry Macdonald, QC, said while they had seen the documents on Wednesday, it appeared that the prosecution did not have permission to use them as evidence.

The defending barrister told the High Court on Friday that it could take months for the US authorities to give permission, and in the meantime, Mr Ofrasio was being held in custody when there was no evidence against him.

Mr Macdonald said that even if the court found that Mr Ofrasio was Moroblade, he was still entitled to bail pending his trial.

'Terrorist training camps'

Stephen Fowler, for the Crown, said they had been informed that the US authorities would give permission to use the documents.

He said the documents related to various financial transactions between the accused and Abbas, "as a result of which money would be available to terrorists and for terrorist training camps".

Mr Fowler said another email - sent from a public library on the Falls Road in Belfast - indicated that Mr Ofrasio was aware that his property in Cotabato City in the Philippines was being used by terrorists.

He said an email was sent to Mr Ofrasio, instructing him how to avoid detection by not drawing attention to himself in his local area and telling him "how to disappear".

Mr Fowler said that in 2001, the accused married a nurse working at the Royal Victoria Hospital, but subsequently spent two years in Saudi Arabia without her.

"There is very serious concern about him turning up for his trial if he was released on bail," said Mr Fowler.

Refusing bail, Mr Justice Weatherup said he could not be satisfied that Mr Ofrasio would not abscond.