In a statement, South African police said a six-month
terror investigation by South African, British and U.S. officials culminated
with the arrest of the suspect in northwestern South Africa. Police spokeswoman
Sally de Beer said the businessman would not be named until he appears in court
Monday in Johannesburg.
“This biological agent, if deployed, would have caused the
destruction of property and resulted in major economic loss,” the police
statement said. “This was therefore regarded as a very serious threat.”
De Beer said the threats were made repeatedly in letters
and e-mails. Police were searching the man's home and other sites, de Beer said
Saturday.
The suspect threatened to carry out the threats unless he
was given $4 million.
US Embassy spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said she could
not discuss the specifics of the investigation.
“However we can confirm that this was an ongoing and close
collaboration with the South African Police Service, Scotland Yard and American
law enforcement based at the US Embassy,” she said.
Scotland
Yard confirmed that its counterterrorism officers had provided support to the
investigation but declined further comment.
