Malaysia to Help Germany Uncover Nuclear Network

Malaysia has pledged its assistance to German prosecutors investigating an international nuclear smuggling network linked to Sri Lankan businessman Buhary Syed Abu Tahir and former top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Associated Press reported yesterday (see GSN, March 14).

Tahir was apprehended in Malaysia last year and remains in custody under laws that allow for indefinite detention without trial, according to AP.

German authorities are investigating three people in connection with South African-manufactured centrifuge components delivered to Libya between 2001 and 2003 at Tahir’s request, said Frauke Scheuten, a spokeswoman for the German prosecutors involved in the case (Associated Press/Daily Times, May 30).

Meanwhile, a Swiss citizen suspected of smuggling nuclear equipment to Libya was extradited Friday from Germany to Switzerland, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, May 16).

Urs Tinner and members of his family are suspected of collaborating with Khan’s nuclear network, the Swiss federal prosecutor’s office said (Agence France-Presse/SpaceWar.com, May 30).

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