Babar Ahmad was remanded in custody for a week by magistrates

Babar Ahmad, 30, of Tooting, south London, was remanded in custody again at his second appearance at Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Friday.

He denied allegations he raised money to support "acts of terrorism" in Afghanistan and Chechnya.

The district judge denied a US request that Mr Ahmad be handcuffed in court as a potential "flight risk".

Mark Summers, representing the US Government, made his request on the basis of private papers.

He said: "There are concerns that an escape could be mounted should he not be handcuffed."

Father defends terror suspect son

But Mr Ahmad's lawyer Joanna Evans said there was already heavy security at the court and Mr Ahmad had not worn handcuffs on his first appearance last week.

She also told the court her client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being assaulted during a previous arrest.

Mr Ahmad, who is said to work with computers at Imperial College London, was arrested on 5 August in South Kensington under anti-terror laws.

He faces four charges over offences alleged to have taken place between 1998 and 2003.

Among them are claims he used websites and email to raise money and support Taleban fighters in Afghanistan.

He is also said to have had email links to a Chechen Mujahideen leader who planned the Moscow theatre attack in October 2002 in which 129 people died

His counsel, Ms Evans, told the court: "There will be no bail application today but there will be one in due course.

"My client is of previous good character and a professional man.

"He believes this to be a politically motivated prosecution and refutes absolutely the allegations against him."

Mr Ahmad smiled at supporters in the public gallery before being led away.

He was remanded in custody until 10 September.