The arrested London bombings suspect Magdy Nashar, a biochemistry doctoral student in Leeds Universtiy, remains a mystery. According to Jiangnan Times, Zhang Shixin, reporter with China's Fazhi Wanbao (Legal Evening) in Britain, happens to know him, and she told some stories of him.

Met more than one year ago

Zhang met Nashar for the first time in late April or early May of 2004. Zhang and a friend of her were hanging signs at examination sites and Nashar was leading five or six students also arranging the examination rooms of the Business School.

"Touchy boy"

Nashar, with a pair of glasses, looked silent, intelligent and bookish. He was always smiling to other people. On a hot summer day, we all wore cool summer dresses but he had a thick scarf, which made Zhang and her friend laugh. When asked why, Nashar said he did not feel well.

Zhang later knew Nashar was from Egypt and seeking a doctoral degree in biochemistry. As his name sounds like a girl's name "Maggie", so Zhang teased him by calling him "Maggie". But Nashar appeared not happy with it. So Zhang and her friend simply called Nashar "touchy boy".

"He once helped me"

As Zhang knew, Nashar had intended to study for a doctoral degree in the United States, but it takes five to six years there, while the Egyptian government only offers him a four-year scholarship. So after one year in the United States, he came to Leeds as a doctoral degree only takes three or four years here. Nashar also said that he doesn't want to return to Egypt after graduation but would look for a job in Britain.

Zhang sometimes met Nashar and they would greet each other. Zhang worked part- time as examination monitor whenever needed, while Nashar usually was in charge of arranging the examination sites. As they were acquainted, Nashar often assigned the classroom with fewer examinees to Zhang.

Zhang met Nashar for the last time around school one or two months ago, when Nashar had received his doctoral degree. "Congratulations!" said Zhang, "Will you teach?" "Maybe," answered Nashar.

Police guard at his door

Zhang never expected Nashar to become a major suspect in the recent London bombings whose photos appeared at the headlines of TV and newspapers. Nashar's house he lived in before returning to Egypt is at the same street with Zhang's. Suddenly, the house was covered by white plastic cloth and guarded by police. At the other end of the street stood a van of a TV station.

When Zhang finished her work at nearly half past eleven at night, July 14, a Chinese student called her, saying the Egyptian doctorate student reported might just be the Nashar they knew.

Zhang felt it unbelievable...

Can't believe he's arrested

The Chinese student called Zhang again the next day, confirming that it was just Nashar, for his photo was on all media. Zhang called her friend, who was in Beijing, telling her the "touchy boy" was a suspect in London explosions.

By People's Daily Online