Extradition case dropped against Algerian pilot

LONDON -- The extradition case against an Algerian pilot once described by U.S. authorities as a trainer for the Sept. 11 hijackers fell apart Wednesday when a British judge ruled the United States had not provided sufficient evidence the man was involved in terrorism -- or had committed any crime.

It was the first Sept. 11 related case outside of the United States to crumble since the attacks. The defendant, Lotfi Raissi, had been free on bail since February.

Judge Timothy Workman turned down a U.S. request seeking Raissi's extradition on lesser charges of lying to the Federal Aviation Authority when he filled out a form seeking to extend his pilot's license in April 2001.

Workman also said during the daylong hearing at Bow Street Magistrate's Court in London that U.S. authorities had provided no evidence Raissi was linked to terrorism.

"He has appeared before me on several occasions where allegations of involvement with terrorism were made," Workman told the court. "I would like to make it clear that I have received and the court has received no evidence to support such a contention."

U.S. Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra declined to say whether the United States would continue to seek Raissi's extradition.