The U.K. Plot Suspects

LONDON, England, July 3, 2007 — -- A total of eight suspects were arrested in connection with the London terror threats. All have at some point worked in Britain's public health service.

Dr. Bilal Abdulla, a 27-year-old Iraqi, was arrested at Glasgow airport Saturday. A graduate of Baghdad Medical College two years ago, Abdulla worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Dr. Mohammed Asha, a 26-year-old Jordanian, was also arrested Saturday on the M6 highway near Sandbach in northwest England. Asha studied medicine in Jordan, graduating in 2004. He gained a limited registration that allowed him to work in the U.K. under supervision. Asha moved to England in 2005 with his wife to specialize in neurology and took up employment at the North Staffordshire Hospital. A resident of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Asha is now in custody at Paddington Green police station in London. Police have a warrant to hold him until Saturday, July 7.

His wife, Marwah Dana Asha, who is believed to have worked as a lab technician at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was arrested with him Saturday evening. She is now in custody at a central London Police Station believed to be Paddington Green.

Khalid Ahmed is a 27-year-old male who reportedly drove the Jeep into Glasgow airport; he was detained on the scene and is in critical condition as a result of the burns he sustained. Police cannot confirm whether he is a doctor or a medical student; however, he remains under armed guard at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Shabeel Ahmed is a 26-year-old male who was arrested by the Metropolitan Police under the Counter Terrorism Act as he drove through central Liverpool Saturday evening. He worked as a locum (temporary position) at Warrington and Halton hospitals (both part of the North Cheshire NHS trust). Police cordoned off the scene as a safety precaution while forensic investigators removed the car for further investigation. He is being held at Paddington Green police station in London and will be held at least until Saturday, July 7.