Posted on 08/31/2002 6:04:12 AM PDT by MadIvan
A man arrested in Sweden on suspicion he was about to hijack a plane, was planning to crash the aircraft into a US embassy in Europe, according to a Reuters report. Swedish intelligence sources told the news agency that the 29-year-old Swedish man may have been working with others on the plan.
Police are looking for four more men, including an explosives expert.
A military intelligence source told Reuters: "We know for sure that the plan was to crash the plane into a US embassy in Europe."
The suspected would-be hijacker is still being questioned in Sweden after trying to board a flight for Stansted in the UK.
The alleged attempt to hijack the plane was first written off as amateurish by experts.
The suspect was arrested after a gun was found in his hand luggage.
But the Reuters report will shake US officials around the world and raise fears of another 11 September-style attack.
Swedish police are trying to establish whether he has any connection to extreme Muslim groups such as al-Qaeda.
The man - named in some newspapers as Kerim Chatty - denied knowledge of the gun and said he was on his way to an Islamic conference in Birmingham in central England.
Previous convictions
The conference is for followers of the Salafi school of Islamic thought, believed to have connections to Osama Bin Laden, the 11 September hijackers and alleged plane shoe-bomber Richard Reid.
British police - said to include anti-terrorism experts from Scotland Yard - are working closely with their Swedish counterparts on the case.
Police spokesman Ulf Palm said the suspect had previous convictions for theft and assault, Mr Palm added.
Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the arrest showed "the threat of international terrorism remains".
The man, who was arrested at Vasteras airport, 100km (60 miles) north-west of Stockholm, was born in Sweden to Tunisian parents.
The suspect was part of a group with 18 other adults and two children apparently bound for the Birmingham meeting.
The leaders of the Salafi school have always denounced acts of violence or terrorism and organisers of the conference condemned the latest incident, adding they did not believe the suspect was going to attend.
Prosecutors in Sweden have until early next week to decide whether to bring formal charges against the man.
Hijacking carries a sentence of between six months and life imprisonment in Sweden.
Regards, Ivan
Naturally. ;)
Regards, Ivan
The US Embassy in London is definitely the most exposed. The one in Paris on the Rue de Fourbourg-Saint Honore is too well nestled in with the other buildings. Same goes for the one in Amsterdam. London would be the easiest to hit. Not that this hijacker could find his head with both hands. ;)
Regards, Ivan
If we just cluster bomb the place, we will reduce the number of terrorists, right?
Absolutely. In fact "Islam" means "peace". What? Don't look at that man behind the curtain holding up the cue card that says "It actually means 'Submission'". ;)
Regards, Ivan
I just had tea with my Gran - she's a police widow and just came back from visiting the lads down at the nick - apparently the police are taking down the details of EVERYONE at this conference. They'll be followed - and if they even pass wind in the wrong direction, bang.
Regards, Ivan
oh, that's rich... we will kill all the infidels where they stand, er, no wait... we have no knowledge, um...
"I can neither confirm nor deny...erm, well it depends on the meaning of is...erm, I did not have sex with that camel..."
Regards, Ivan
As in "We believe he was going to be slightly indisposed"?
If they thought the suspect was going to 9/11 the US embassy with the plane, then it would be Clintonesquely truthful for them to say "they did not believe the suspect was going to attend".
Our mission to HRH is distinctive from the ground, but I don't believe any of these camel drivers could hit it with a plane.
I don't think they could have done the White House, either. The Capitol, maybe.
Special Branch and Five need to photograph and trace every single participant in the Terrorist Conference. I hope the UK realizes just how much they have been infiltrated by Islamic vermin. Just like here in the US.
Europe is sinking under the weight of Islamic immigration, its just a matter of time before some of the continetal countries lose their majority. I hope this doesnt happen to the UK as I lived there for six years of my life. Aside from Italy, I dont care what happens to the rest of the continent because of their appeasement of the Islamists and their dislike for America.
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