An international arrest warrant has been issued for British terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite, who was married to one of the July 7 bombers.
Interpol said it was issuing the red notice for the arrest of Lewthwaite dubbed the White Widow at the request of the Kenyan authorities.
Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said: “By requesting an Interpol red notice, Kenya has activated a global ‘tripwire’ for this fugitive.
Social media reports that a white female was leading last week’s terrorist attack on an upscale Nairobi shopping centre followed by comments from Kenya’s foreign minister that a British woman had been involved led some broadcasters and newspapers to link Lewthwaite to the recent attack on the Westgate Mall.
The Interpol notice made no mention of Westgate, however, saying Lewthwaite is wanted on charges of possessing explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony in December 2011.
African authorities have linked her to other attacks as well again, without presenting evidence of her involvement. She is believed to have been questioned by police once but was not taken into custody.
Lewthwaite, a 29-year-old Muslim convert, originally criticised her late husband, Jermaine Lindsay, for taking part in the transit attacks, but later apparently embraced the Jihadi cause.
She said in September 2005 that her husband had fallen under the influence of radical mosques.
“How these people could have turned him and poisoned his mind is dreadful,” she said.
“He was an innocent, naive and simple man. I suppose he must have been an ideal candidate.”