A POLITICAL row has erupted following the arrest of an Iranian studying at Durham University in connection with a terrorist bombing in which 90 people died.

Hade Soleimanpour, 47, was arrested at his flat in Gilesgate, on Thursday last week after a formal request was made by the authorities in Argentina, who are seeking his extradition.

Mr Soleimanpour is facing charges of conspiring to murder, relating to a bombing in Buenos Aires nine years ago, when the main Jewish community centre in Argentina was destroyed, killing 90 and leaving 200 casualties.

Mr Soleimanpour was the Iranian ambassador to Argentina at the time of the bombing.

He has subsequently begun a PhD at Durham and was arrested at his flat in Kepier Court by Durham Police on behalf of Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist unit. Mr Soleimanpour was taken to London and appeared before Bow Street Magistrates the following day.

He made no comment as the charge was read to him, although the court was told, by Det Sgt Keith Richardson, of Scotland Yard's extradition unit, that when the allegation was put to him during his arrest he told officers: "It is false."

His lawyer, Michel Massih, said: "He has always publicly and strenuously denied these allegations. There is a political vendetta."

He said police visited Mr Soleimanpour's home, in post-graduate accommodation in Durham, three times earlier this year before his arrest last week, and had discussed the bombing.

"It is not a case of somebody who is trying to avoid detection," Mr Massih told the court.

He added that Mr Soleimanpour had enrolled at Durham University as an ordinary student and is not in receipt of a scholarship from the Iranian government.

Mr Soleimanpour was remanded in custody and will come back before the court this Friday.

The arrest was made in the wake of a fresh investigation into the car bombing after a recent change of government in Argentina.

But Iranian president Ali Mohammed Khatami has called on Britain to apologise for the arrest and to free Mr Soleimanpour, alleging that the arrest was 'politically motivated.'

The former diplomat began his PhD at Durham at the beginning of 2002 and was finishing a thesis on environmental issues and tourism at the time of his arrest.