UK watchdog studies reports linking charity work to terror plot

Britain's charity watchdog is checking into reports potentially linking suspects in an alleged airline bombing plot to an British aid group that raised money for earthquake relief in Pakistan.
The Charity Commission told AFP on Saturday it is examining reported links between the charity and the conspiracy to blow up US-bound planes but declined to say whether it had been approached by the police.
The Times newspaper said Saturday that Crescent Relief London, which mobilised for the October 8 earthquake in Pakistan, was created in 2000 by Abdul Rauf, from the central English city of Birmingham.
His 25-year-old son Rashid was arrested as a "key" plot suspect in Pakistan shortly before his 21-year-old son Tayib was arrested in Birmingham in an August 10 dragnet in Britain when police arrested a total of 24 suspects. Rashid Rauf is alleged to have links to al Qaeda.
However, Pakistan's foreign ministry said Tuesday that Rashid Rauf was unconnected with any charities involved with the earthquake, while denying a separate report that a Pakistani charity had diverted quake relief to the plot.
Pakistani officials said Friday that they had also detained Abdul Rauf, 52, at Islamabad airport, though it was unclear whether he was arrested for questioning about his son's alleged role or whether he himself was a suspect.
The Times said that Crescent Relief may prove links between the Rauf family and the five people arrested in High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, north-west of London, on August 10.
The Times said the charity was operating in High Wycombe when all five suspects were helping with the earthquake relief effort.
A thousand tents were sent by High Wycombe to Pakistan through Crescent Relief London, it said.
An article in the Bucks Free Press said readers wishing to donate to that organisation should contact Khuram Ali and gave a mobile phone number, the daily said. Ali is one of the five High Wycombe suspects held by police.
Contacted by AFP on Saturday about the Times reports, a spokeswoman for the watchdog read a statement saying: "The Charity Commission takes the issue of allegations concerning charities and terrorism very seriously."
The New York Times and The Washington Post reported last week that the investigation is focusing on potential or alleged links between the suspects and charities.