after being detained in London by immigration officials.

The whereabouts of Mohammad Samma and Asiz Maan, who flew to Gatwick, London, last Thursday had been shrouded in mystery.

But on Saturday night they phoned their friends in Bermuda, 27-year-old Tahir Choudry and Kashif Ahmad, 23, to say they had arrived in Karachi.

"We were wondering why they had not rung as arranged when they arrived in Gatwick,'' said Mr. Choudry last night from his Pembroke guest house.

"It turns out they were detained by immigration officials and taken under escort to Heathrow, where they got a direct flight to Pakistan on Friday night. They got back yesterday.'' Originally, the pair had been expected to fly home from Gatwick using Ukraine International Airlines, stopping at several countries, including Turkmanistan.

Mr. Choudry said he and Mr. Ahmad would be flying home tomorrow to join their two friends.

"I don't yet know whether we will be going by the same route.'' The four businessmen, who came to Bermuda on July 5, have been embroiled in controversy since their claims that they were locked up, strip searched and accused of being terrorists.

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