08-04-2010, 04:11 AM
Air marshal subdues man on DC-Denver flight
Updated at 07:58 PM today
![[Image: 7374349_448x252.jpg]](http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/images/kgo/cms_exf_2007/news/national_world/7374349_448x252.jpg)
In a file photo a United Airlines plane heads away from the gates of the B concourse at Denver International Airport Aug. 24, 2006.
Tags:
terrorism, transportation, united airlines, national/world
WASHINGTON -- The FBI is probing whether a man tried to ignite his shoes on a DC to Denver flight Wednesday, according to law enforcement officials, who say the man is a Qatari diplomat.
An official said an air marshal on the flight apparently restrained them. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.
The officials said fighter jets were scrambled but proved unnecessary, as the plane landed safely in Denver with no injuries to passengers.
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Kristin Lee said the man is being interviewed by law enforcement officials in Denver.
Two officials say the man is a Qatari diplomat who has been in the United States for years.
Unlike the Christmas Day bomb attempt on an Detroit-bound airliner, officials say it is not immediately clear what the man was trying to do -- something harmful like start a fire or explosion, or something as innocent as smoke a cigarette.
Officials insisted Wednesday night it was still too early to tell whether the incident was an attempted act of terrorism or a giant misunderstanding.
A media hot line at Denver International Airport says the United Flight 663 from Washington to Denver was met by FBI and TSA officials around 7 p.m. MDT. Airport officials didn't immediately return phone calls to The Associated Press.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section...id=7374348
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FBI: No Explosives Found on United Jet in Denver
Authorities Say Qatari Diplomat Told Air Marshals, 'I'm Lighting My Shoes'[URL="http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marshals-stop-shoe-bomb-attempt-united-jet/comments?type=story&id=10315314"]
[/URL]
By RHONDA SCHWARTZ, RICHARD ESPOSITO and BRIAN ROSS
Apr. 7, 2010
FBI agents say no explosives were found in the shoes of a Qatar diplomat who was subdued by federal air marshals on a United flight to Denver Wednesday night after allegedly telling the marshals, "I'm lighting my shoes on fire."
![[Image: rt_United_Airlines_Denver_100408_mn.jpg]](http://a.abcnews.com/images/Blotter/rt_United_Airlines_Denver_100408_mn.jpg)
United Airlines aircraft are lined up at their gates at Denver International Airport, December 9, 2002.
(Gary C. Caskey/Reuters)
More Photos
Authorities say the diplomat was wrestled to the ground and two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the 757 on the final 40 minutes of its flight to Denver. Flight 663 originated from Washington Reagan airport.
A US security official said, "it may have been a massive misunderstanding" and the diplomat's statement may have been a "sarcastic" comment when he was confronted by two air marshals who had been told by flight attendants that smoke was coming from the lavatory.
Law enforcement authorities in Denver say the air marshals and the diplomat were in a "physical confrontation."
The suspect was identified by authorities as a diplomat in the Qatar embassy in Washington, Mohammed al Modadi, 27. The FBI said the man had full diplomat immunity as the 3rd secretary and vice-consul.
The plane was taken to a remote location after landing at Denver and passengers were questioned by FBI agents about the incident. A bomb squad team and explosives-sniffing dogs were still on board the plane late Wednesday night.
Authorities said White House officials had been briefed on the incident as it unfolded.http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marsha...d=10315314
Updated at 07:58 PM today
In a file photo a United Airlines plane heads away from the gates of the B concourse at Denver International Airport Aug. 24, 2006. Tags:
terrorism, transportation, united airlines, national/world
WASHINGTON -- The FBI is probing whether a man tried to ignite his shoes on a DC to Denver flight Wednesday, according to law enforcement officials, who say the man is a Qatari diplomat.
An official said an air marshal on the flight apparently restrained them. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.
The officials said fighter jets were scrambled but proved unnecessary, as the plane landed safely in Denver with no injuries to passengers.
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Kristin Lee said the man is being interviewed by law enforcement officials in Denver.
Two officials say the man is a Qatari diplomat who has been in the United States for years.
Unlike the Christmas Day bomb attempt on an Detroit-bound airliner, officials say it is not immediately clear what the man was trying to do -- something harmful like start a fire or explosion, or something as innocent as smoke a cigarette.
Officials insisted Wednesday night it was still too early to tell whether the incident was an attempted act of terrorism or a giant misunderstanding.
A media hot line at Denver International Airport says the United Flight 663 from Washington to Denver was met by FBI and TSA officials around 7 p.m. MDT. Airport officials didn't immediately return phone calls to The Associated Press.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section...id=7374348
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FBI: No Explosives Found on United Jet in Denver
Authorities Say Qatari Diplomat Told Air Marshals, 'I'm Lighting My Shoes'[URL="http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marshals-stop-shoe-bomb-attempt-united-jet/comments?type=story&id=10315314"]
[/URL]
By RHONDA SCHWARTZ, RICHARD ESPOSITO and BRIAN ROSS
Apr. 7, 2010
FBI agents say no explosives were found in the shoes of a Qatar diplomat who was subdued by federal air marshals on a United flight to Denver Wednesday night after allegedly telling the marshals, "I'm lighting my shoes on fire."
United Airlines aircraft are lined up at their gates at Denver International Airport, December 9, 2002.(Gary C. Caskey/Reuters)
More Photos
Authorities say the diplomat was wrestled to the ground and two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the 757 on the final 40 minutes of its flight to Denver. Flight 663 originated from Washington Reagan airport.
A US security official said, "it may have been a massive misunderstanding" and the diplomat's statement may have been a "sarcastic" comment when he was confronted by two air marshals who had been told by flight attendants that smoke was coming from the lavatory.
Law enforcement authorities in Denver say the air marshals and the diplomat were in a "physical confrontation."
The suspect was identified by authorities as a diplomat in the Qatar embassy in Washington, Mohammed al Modadi, 27. The FBI said the man had full diplomat immunity as the 3rd secretary and vice-consul.
The plane was taken to a remote location after landing at Denver and passengers were questioned by FBI agents about the incident. A bomb squad team and explosives-sniffing dogs were still on board the plane late Wednesday night.
Authorities said White House officials had been briefed on the incident as it unfolded.http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marsha...d=10315314
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"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.