ABC Exclusive: Two Men on United Flight from Chicago Arrested on 'Preparation of a Terrorist Attack'

ABC News ^ | Aug. 30, 2010 | RICHARD ESPOSITO, CHRISTINE BROUWER and BRIAN ROSS

[Free ThinkerNY]

Two men taken off a Chicago-to-Amsterdam United Airlines flight in the Netherlands have been charged by Dutch police with "preparation of a terrorist attack," U.S. law enforcement officials tell ABC News. Photo: Two on United Flight Arrested on Terror Charges in Amsterdam: Suspects Had Been Cleared Sunday by TSA in Chicago, Birmingham Despite Security Concerns

U.S. officials said the two appeared to be travelling with what were termed "mock bombs" in their luggage. "This was almost certainly a dry run, a test," said one senior law enforcement official.

A spokesman for the Dutch public prosecutor, Ernst Koelman, confirmed the two men were arrested this morning and said "the investigation is ongoing." He said the arrests were made "at the request of American authorities."

The two were allowed to board the flight at O'Hare airport last night despite security concerns surrounding one of them, the officials said.

The men were identified as Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Soofi, of Detroit, MI, and Hezem al Murisi, the officials said. A neighbor of al Soofi told ABC News he is from Yemen.

Airport security screeners in Birmingham, Alabama first stopped al Soofi and referred him to additional screening because of what officials said was his "bulky clothing."

[rovenstinez]

Probably the Amish again. Or maybe some Unitarian Pastors. when will we start profiling passengers according to the beliefs in a Deity.

[CaptainK]

Stopped at security and yet they got on the plane.

[Crawdad]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2580342/posts?q=1&;page=1

[jakerobins]

I’ll bet it’s one of those Tea Partiers......Quick Drive By Media...find out if they listen to Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh...ECT.

[Retired Greyhound]

In addition, officials said, al Soofi was found to be carrying $7,000 in cash and a check of his luggage found a cell phone taped to a Pepto-Bismol bottle, three cell phones taped together, several watches taped together, a box cutter and three large knives. Officials said there was no indication of explosives and he and his luggage were cleared for the flight from Birmingham to Chicago O'Hare.

WTF!!!!??????????

A Muslim guy was allowed to board a flight with all of that weird crap in his bags?

I think I'm done flying.

[upsdriver]

Stopped at security and yet they got on the plane.

What can ya say? Airport security was overwhelmed by a little old lady with a bottle of shampoo in her purse.

[Kartographer]

Most likely on a US government sponsered tour promoting cultural diversity!

Not every muslim is a Terrorist, but every plane hijacker/bomber is a muslim!

[nkycincinnatikid]

Well, at least the Dutch boys will stick their fingers in the dike. Thanks a whole lot TSA.

[colorado tanker]

[EGPWS]

The men were identified as Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Soofi, of Detroit, MI, and Hezem al Murisi, the officials said.

Missouri Synod Lutheran or Presbyterian definitely.

[SJSAMPLE]

And the cartoonist couldn’t even bring himself to depict the most likely suspect.

[EGPWS]

Airport security was overwhelmed by a little old lady with a bottle of shampoo in her purse.

After all, she could be from Pasadena. ; )

[petitfour]

Why weren’t they arrested before the flight? Why did the US authorities let them leave the country? Is this part of Obama’s amnesty plan, too?

[StopObama2012]

The THIRD suspect was questioned, but not arrested:

[Inspectorette]

I’m a little old lady, and actually had my small container of Yoplait yogurt (still sealed) confiscated, and thrown into the trash bin.

[upsdriver]

LOL, yeah

[HiTech RedNeck]

These fellows are very much in Dutch.

[bill1952]

Savage just announced that a Harvard law professor has agreed to defend these scum.

[colorado tanker]

No kidding. That might have gotten the cartoonist the Danish treatment.