4 British police officers in court charged with assaulting terror suspect

Cops in court over alleged terror suspect assault

LONDON — Four police officers have appeared in a London court charged with attacking a terrorist suspect they were arresting on a U.S. extradition warrant.

Constables Nigel Cowley, Roderick James-Bowen, Mark Jones and John Donohue are accused of assaulting Babar Ahmad in December 2003.

The 36-year-old computer specialist is accused by the United States of running websites used to raise money for terrorists.

The accused spoke only to confirm their names during a hearing Wednesday at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Their lawyer said they plan to plead not guilty. Their trial is due to begin Oct 29.

Ahmad remains in prison awaiting the outcome of a European court hearing on his extradition. Last year police paid him 60,000 pounds (US$95,000) in damages.