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. German faces judge suspected of aiding Libya with nuclear arms
BERLIN (AFP) Aug 26, 2004
A German man has appeared in court on suspicion of trying to help Libya develop nuclear weapons, the federal prosecutor's office said Thursday.

The man, identified as Gerhard W., was released on bail, said a statement from the office in Karlsruhe, southwest Germany.

He 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.

Prosecutors say Gerhard W., 65, worked as a mediator in obtaining an order for a South African company to make and supply aluminium tubing to be used in a uranium enrichment plant, the statement said.

It said he was paid a million euros (1.2 million dollars) for his services.

The court suspects that the tubing was made but never delivered.

Swiss authorities are reported to have searched the home of his alleged accomplice, Gotthard L., 61, for whom an arrest warrant has been issued.

Libya announced late last year that it was abandoning attempts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, a surprise that came after months of secret negotiations between Tripoli, London and Washington.

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