Teenager denies planting train bomb
A TEENAGE asylum seeker yesterday denied planting a bucket bomb which partially exploded at a tube station during the morning rush hour, injuring 30 passengers.
Iraqi national Ahmed Hassan Mohammed Ali, 18, is said by prosecutors to have placed the device on a District Line train on Friday September 15 last year.
It sent a fireball through the carriage at Parsons Green station in south-west London.
Ali appeared at the Old Bailey via a video link from the high- security Belmarsh prison in south-east London.
The screen showed the teenager clean-shaven with short dark hair and wearing a maroon crew neck jumper.
Ali, who is facing two charges – attempted murder and causing an explosion – spoke only to confirm his name and to enter not guilty pleas to both allegations.
The first charge says that Ali “attempted to murder persons unknown”.
The explosives allegation states that he “maliciously caused by means of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) or other explosive substance an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property”.
Ali is due to face trial, which is expected to last for two weeks, at the Old Bailey on March 5.
Mr Justice Haddon-Cave remanded him in custody until the hearing.
Ali was living in Sunburyon-Thames, Surrey, when the incident happened.