A German man suspected of trying to help Libya develop nuclear weapons probably had links with a key middleman in the international nuclear black market, the weekly Der Spiegel reported in its latest edition to be released Monday.
The man, identified as 65-year-old Gerhard W., was released on bail on Thursday after appearing in court, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe, south-west Germany.
The suspect and a suspected accomplice living in Switzerland are believed to have played a role in an international ring that tried to procure materials for making atomic weapons in 2001.
Der Spiegel said Gerhard W. had turned over a list of contacts to Sri Lankan businessman Buhary Syed Abu Tahir, who was described by US authorities earlier this year as the "chief financial officer and money launderer" for Pakistan's disgraced scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Khan, a one-time national hero credited with making Pakistan a nuclear power, has admitted selling nuclear secrets abroad but was pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf.
Tahir was arrested in Malaysia in May on suspicion of involvement in the illicit nuclear network run by Khan.
The weekly said the German suspect had put Tahir in touch with a South African company that manufactures parts for centrifuges used for enriching uranium.
It added that German authorities planned to question Tahir to determine the exact role of the German suspect.
Der Spiegel said Libya had sought Tahir's help to develop its nuclear program.
German prosecutors say Gerhard W. worked as a mediator in obtaining an order for a South African company to make and supply aluminium tubing to be used in a uranium enrichment plant.
They added that he was paid a million euros (1.2 million dollars) for his services.
The court suspects that the tubing was made but never delivered.
Swiss authorities are reported to have searched the home of his alleged accomplice, Gotthard L., 61, for whom an arrest warrant has been issued.
Libya announced late last year that it was abandoning attempts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, a surprise that came after months of secret negotiations between Tripoli, London and Washington.