Germany detains former bin Laden aide, plans to deport him

German officials say a former aide to Osama bin Laden has been detained and they plan to deport him to his native Tunisia.

The dpa news agency confirmed a report that Sami A, whose full name wasn't released due to privacy rules, was detained today.

The agency quoted a spokesman for Bochum, the western city where A. lives, saying a valid order for his deportation has been issued.

Daily newspaper Bild reported that the 42-year-old was detained when he reported at a police station, as he is required to do daily.

The case of A, who has been described as a former bodyguard to the al-Qaida chief, made headlines earlier this year when it was reported that German authorities couldn't deport him because a court ruled he might face torture in Tunisia.