Police yesterday sought the arrest and extradition to China of eight alleged leaders and key members of a terror group accused of plotting attacks in the run-up to, and during, the Beijing Olympics.

Public Security Ministry spokesman Wu Heping said the Uygur men, all Chinese citizens, are believed to have financed, incited and attempted to carry out a series of terrorist activities to coincide with the Aug 8-24 Games.

Wu said all eight belong to the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which was listed by the United Nations as a terrorist organization in 2002.