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Friday, 11 November 2005, 16:05 GMT

Abu Salem remanded on bomb charge

Abu Salem One of India's most wanted men has appeared in a court in India after his extradition from Portugal on Thursday.

Indian police accuse Abu Salem of involvement in attacks in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1993 that killed more than 250 people.

Portugal handed over Salem - who denies any part in the bombings - to Indian authorities with his companion, former Bollywood actress Monica Bedi.

Salem and Bedi were arrested in Portugal in 2002.

Salem was remanded in the custody of India's top detective agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, to appear again on 23 November.

The BBC's Monica Chadha in Mumbai says that Salem, wearing a striped T- shirt and blue jeans and looking gaunt, was in court for nearly an hour.

Our correspondent says there was no defiance in his demeanour, rather nervousness and submission.

Extortion

India had assured Portugal that Salem and Bedi would not be executed if they were returned to India.

Profile: Abu Salem

Showcase trial

Police photo of Abu Salem

Authorities in India say Salem, an Indian Muslim, is a key associate of Indian crime lord Dawood Ibrahim.

Salem and Bedi arrived in the western city of Mumbai on a chartered airplane on Friday morning, Indian officials said.

A Portuguese court sentenced Salem to four-and-a-half years in November 2003, for possession of forged documents and resisting arrest.

Bedi was sentenced to two years for using false documents.

Salem fled India after the bombings, which left 1,000 injured.

Dawood Ibrahim is also suspected of involvement in the bombings, believed to have been carried out in revenge for the deaths of hundreds of Muslims in riots in 1992.

Indian investigators also want to question Salem in connection with more than 60 murders and cases of extortion and kidnapping involving Bombay film producers and actors.




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Related to this story:
Extradition blow for bomb suspect (28 Jan 05 |  South Asia )
Bombay 'bomber' faces extradition (05 Feb 04 |  Europe )
Portugal jails Indian crime boss (28 Nov 03 |  South Asia )
Analysis: Bollywood and the mafia (01 Oct 03 |  South Asia )
Indian crime boss goes on trial (29 Oct 03 |  South Asia )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Central Bureau of Investigation
Portuguese Presidency
Interpol
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