Pakistani suspected of terrorism detained at US embassy in Chile

Santiago - A citizen of Pakistan was detained at the US Embassy in Santiago de Chile after a security check detected traces of explosive material in his cellphone.

Mohammad Saif Ur Rehman Khan, 28, who has been living in Chile since January 2010, was detained on May 10 while conducting “consular business” at the US embassy in Santiago. He had been invited to the embassy to inform him that his visa to enter the USA, which was valid until 2014 would be revoked because his name has shown in a list of suspected terrorists in Washington. As part of the routine security measures at the embassy he handed over his cellular phone. A revision of the device using special equipment detected the presence of Tetryl. This substance is an explosive that can be used as a “booster”, a small charge that placed next to the detonator, would cause the detonation of a main charge. Following his detention the man was handed over to Chilean police. Rehman Khan has claimed his innocence all along, however today police authorities in Santiago extended his arrest to 5 days invoking anti-terrorist legislation, pending further investigation. According to police reports, a search at his residence showed that he was not in possession of explosive materials or terrorism related literature. Nevertheless, the police deemed that they needed more time to investigate the religious (Salafist Jihadism) connections of the suspect and the possibility that he may have received training by the Taliban. The purpose is to prevent the suspect from leaving the country before the police can determine what he did during his nearly four months in Chile, high government sources explained.