British police have travelled to Italy today to interview the man wanted in connection with an attempt to blow up an Underground train in Shepherds Bush London on July 21st.
Hussain Osman is being held in Rome and is facing a possible extradition on a European arrest warrant.
Mr Osman's lawyer, Antonietta Sonnessa, arrived at high-security Regina Coeli prison shortly after 8am today and was quoted by Italian news agency Ansa saying her client "will answer Scotland Yard [and] . . . reiterate that his actions were not intended to kill anyone.
"My gesture was merely meant to prove a point," Mr Osman said through Ms Sonnessa. He claims he was merely making a "demonstrative gesture" designed to raise awareness of the plight of people in countries hit by war.
Mr Oman plans to fight extradition.
Questioning today is said to be carried out under an international legal process called a letter rogatory, or letter of request. The rogatory contains a list of suggested questions that will be put to the suspect by an Italian magistrate, Ansa said.
Mr Osman - born Hamdi Issac in Ethiopia - is being held under Italian law, which could delay - or scupper - British extradition attempts. An extradition hearing is set for next week.
PA