This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/952
Badat being tested for explosives -taught Islam to prison inmates
August 11, 2005
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LONDON
11/08/05 - News section
Prison locked down after explosion
A top security prison was locked down for two days following an explosion within a wing, the Prison Service said.
A leading al Qaida fanatic is now being held in segregation following the firework-like blast at Whitemoor Prison in Cambridgeshire, according to the Sun newspaper.
British shoebomber Saajid Badat, 25, who was jailed for 13 years, is reported to be in isolation with three other prisoners after being forensically tested for traces of explosives.
Badat, of Gloucester, admitted plotting to explode a shoebomb on a transatlantic flight in December 2001 at the same time as fellow shoebomber Richard Reid, but he said he could not face being a "courier of death" and rejected terrorism.
A spokeswoman for the Prison Service said: "We can confirm there was a very small firework-like explosion within a wing of Whitemoor Prison around 7.45pm on August 4.
"There was no damage, no risk of injuries and the routine of the prison was not disrupted. The prison was locked down on time.
"On August 5 the prison was locked down while a full search was carried out using specialist staff and detection dogs from the Prison Service.
"The governor has reported the incident to Cambridgeshire Police.
"The device is being analysed but there is nothing to indicate at this stage that explosives have been smuggled into the prison."
According to the Sun, Badat has been allowed to conduct weekly prayer meetings for Muslim inmates since a visiting Imam left. It is thought the bomb was made from ingredients available within the prison such as sugar and weedkiller.
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/952