November 20, 2006

And the Euro-Jihad Marches On

From AP:

Six people are under investigation in Germany in an alleged plot to blow up an Israeli airliner by bribing an airport worker to smuggle a bag packed with explosives on board the craft, officials said Monday.

Several of the accused approached a person with security clearance at an unidentified airport last summer, who agreed to smuggle an explosives-filled bag onto a plane in exchange for money, federal prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said in a statement that some of the accused then contacted their "so far unknown" terrorist backers, but could not agree on a payment amount.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the matter, said the plot was centered on the Frankfurt airport and the plan apparently was to attack a plane belonging to Israel's El Al.

Three of the suspects were apprehended in Hesse state, where the airport is located, the official said.

The six, who could face charges of belonging to or supporting a terrorist organization, were temporarily detained Friday, but five of them were released Saturday after questioning. The remaining suspect was kept in custody over an unrelated matter.

This calls to mind another plot that was foiled in Germany this summer.