German accused of aiding Libya had links with N-black market

BERLIN:A German man suspected of trying to help Libya develop nuclear weapons probably had links with a key middle man in the international nuclear black market, the weekly Der Spiegel reported in its latest edition to be released Monday.

Gerhard W, 65, was released on bail on Thursday after appearing in court, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe, 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 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 Abdul Qadeer Khan. Tahir was arrested in Malaysia in May on suspicion of involvement in the illicit nuclear network run by Khan. afp

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