Legal Commentary

DC Flight to Denver: Doubtful That Diplomat Tried to Set Shoes on Fire

By Jeralyn

Did a diplomat from the Middle East try to set his shoes on fire on a United flight from DC to Denver? The flight landed safely. No word yet on whether explosives were involved.

The suspect was identified by authorities as a diplomat in the Qatar embassy in Washington, Mohammed al Modadi. The FBI said the man had full diplomat immunity as the 3rd secretary and vice-consul.

Update8:56 pm: The air marshals found no explosives. He may have been trying to smoke a cigarette in the bathroom. He's 25 to 26 years old.

Update 9:07 pm: Sounds like this was not a terror incident after all. The plane is still on the runway and the local news media is scrambling to get information. Officials now say it likely was a misunderstanding. Guy probably got caught after smoking and made dumb bad joke about trying to set shoes on fire.

Update: Yes, he was just copping a smoke in the bathroom. No charges will be filed.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 08, 2010 (boomark / email).