Alleged terror figure under house arrest

LONDON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A British man suspected of connections to accused London terror plotters is being secretly held under house arrest, sources say.

The man, identified only as A.Y., has been placed under a strict control order by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who has deemed him too dangerous to remain free, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The man allegedly has close ties to a group of seven men accused of plotting to blow up jetliners by smuggling liquid bombs disguised as soft drinks. Three of the men were convicted last week of conspiracy commit mass murder, but prosecutors said they, along with four others, will be retried on new charges.

The Sunday Times said officials claim A.Y. has met with suspected al-Qaida financier Mohammed Ghabra, believed to have played an important role in the events leading up to a failed series of London subway and bus bombings in 2005.

Ghabra denied having any links to terrorism, telling the Times last year: "If I am a money-maker and this is why they have decided to put the sanctions against me, how could I have so many financial problems myself?"