"He was linked to fundamentalist elements since 1984 but was never
prosecuted," a ministry official said.
Officials said authorities assess that Ahmed, who resides in a southern
Cairo neighborhood, appeared to have acted alone in the Feb. 21 attack on
the synagogue. Ahmed was accused of throwing a bag that exploded toward the
house of worship in the center of Cairo. There were no reports of injuries
or damage.
The Interior Ministry said Ahmed was identified by traces of the
explosive device found when he was arrested on Feb. 24. Ahmed was said to
have been captured as he was heading to the U.S. embassy to request
political asylum.
"He has suffered from years of drug addiction and was sentenced to
prison for drug trafficking," the ministry said on Feb. 24.
The ministry statement said Ahmed sought treatment at a state
psychiatric clinic in 1991. When he was unable to quit drugs, Ahmed's family
thew him out of the house.
Security sources said Ahmed was identified by the staff of a hotel.
Ahmed was said to have hurled the explosive device from the balcony of the
Hotel Panorama in downtown Cairo.
Ahmed was expected to undergo trial in a state security court, the
sources said. They said Ahmed would be charged with endangering Egyptian
interests.