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Saudi charged with carrying pyrotechnics on flight
EFL:A Saudi Arabian man was charged yesterday with carrying three small firecracker-type pyrotechnics on a flight from Frankfurt to Boston over the weekend, then allegedly lying about the explosive nature of the devices when inspectors discovered them in his backpack after his arrival at Logan International Airport. A Saudi lying about pyrotechnics? Iâm shocked, shocked! Essam Mohammed Almohandis, 33, of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, appeared briefly in federal court in Boston yesterday and was ordered held without bail by US Magistrate Judge Robert B. Collings until a hearing Thursday to determine whether he should remain jailed until trial. The pyrotechnics — yellow, cylindrical, paper-covered objects which each measured 1 1/2 inches — throw off a shower of sparks when ignited and would not be capable of destroying a plane if used alone, according to US officials. Ignitor for use with, something? But they are classified as explosive or incendiary devices under federal law and are prohibited on aircraft, according to a court affidavit. "I didnât know, er, somebody said they were ok, er, everyone back home has them, er, Profiling, Oppression, yeah, thatâs it!" Officials said the devices should be picked up through routine screening of carry-on baggage, but it was unclear why they were not detected at airports overseas. Somebody slipped up. US Attorney Michael Sullivan issued a statement yesterday saying, "There is no evidence at this time that suggests there is a terrorism connection in this case." However, he added, "as evidenced by the detection of these items and this arrest, law enforcement continues to be vigilant in ensuring that prohibited items are identified, confiscated, and, as appropriate, passengers are charged." In this case, with being stupid. Almohandis, a married father of two who works as a biomedical engineer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, told inspectors he was traveling alone on business when he arrived at Logan Airport on Saturday afternoon on Lufthansa Flight 422. After inspectors discovered the devices in an outer pocket of his backpack, Almohandis initially said they were "artistâs crayons," according to an affidavit by Wayne Day, a special agent with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Itâs a crayon." "Whatâs the fuse for?" "Er, drawing in the dark?" Massachusetts trooper Timothy R. Murray, a bomb technician, was called to the scene and determined the devices were pyrotechnics. He lit a match to one of the devices, which set off a shower of sparks, according to the affidavit. Real smart move, hope you used a long match. When questioned again, Almohandis told inspectors that his wife had packed his backpack and he didnât know where the devices had come from or who put them in his bag, according to the affidavit. Then why did you say it was a crayon, instead of "What the hell is that?" Attorney Miriam Conrad, who works for the federal public defenderâs office and is representing Almohandis, refused to discuss details of the case, but said, "I anticipate that the evidence will show that Mr. Almohandis was coming to Boston to attend a professional training program related to his employment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia." Uh huh. Posted by: Steve 2004-01-06 |
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