Islam Channel chief released by South African authorities

The head of the UK-based Islam Channel arrested in South Africa over alleged terror links was today released without charge. Mohamed Ali Harrath was arrested on Sunday after a flight from London . He had been sought by Interpol and authorities in Tunisia over claims that he was linked to an alleged terror organisation in his homeland. The Islam Channel said today that he had been released "without charge and without condition" 48 hours after his arrest. The broadcaster added that Harrath's lawyers would mount a legal challenge to his arrest, which they "strongly believe was unlawful". "Mr Harrath, travelling on business to South Africa, was arrested at the airport because of a red notice that was issued against him over 20 years ago by Interpol, on a misleading instruction by the government of Tunisia," the Islam Channel said. "Interpol's website states that 'An Interpol red notice is not an international arrest warrant' and 'the person should be considered innocent until proven guilty'. "This afternoon following a brief court hearing in Johannesburg, Mr Harrath was released as there was no evidence against him and no extradition treaty exists between South Africa and Tunisia." A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Great Britain said: "We are delighted that Mohamed Ali Harrath has now been released by the South African authorities but we believe that he should not have been arrested in the first place and put through this ordeal. "It is appalling that the Tunisian regime can abuse the Interpol red notice system in this way to harass its political oppponents." Harrath, who has advised Scotland Yard on Islamic extremism, was held at OR Tambo airport after flying into South Africa from London on Sunday. His supporters blamed his arrest on a clampdown by South African authorities in the build-up to this summer's football World Cup, according to reports. A free-to-air English-language service that also broadcasts in Africa, Asia and continental Europe, the Islam Channel is said to be watched by the majority of the two-million-plus Muslims in the UK. Harrath, who has a heart condition, collapsed during his arrest and was treated at a hospital in Pretoria. He created the Tunisian Islamic Front in 1986, which he described as a "non-violent political party founded ... to oppose the one-party state in Tunisia and to seek change through peaceful means". He was convicted in absentia of numerous criminal and terrorism-related offences by Tunisian courts and sentenced to 56 years in prison. The Islam Channel said the offences included "belonging to an unauthorised political party" and distributing leaflets and holding meetings. Harrath arrived in Britain in 1995 and was later accepted as a refugee. He is chief executive of the Islam Channel, which was founded in 2004. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".