FBI: No Explosives Found on United Jet in Denver
Authorities Say Qatari Diplomat Told Air Marshals, 'I'm Lighting My Shoes'
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."
Authorities say the diplomat was wrestled to the ground and two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the 757 on the final five 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 diplomatic 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.