Two men ‘facing terror charge’ after US flight

TWO men on a flight from Chicago to Amsterdam were reportedly facing a terror charge today after officials found suspicious items in their luggage.

The men were arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport after US officials were said to have found a mobile phone taped to a medicine bottle, a knife and a stanley knife in their bags.

A US law enforcement official identified the men on the United Airlines flight as Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Soofi and Hezam al Murisi.

Al Soofi had a Michigan address, the official said. It is understood he is from Yemen.

News reports said al Soofi and al Murisi were charged in the Netherlands with “preparation of a terrorist attack” but US officials would not confirm that.

It was reported that Al Soofi was questioned as he went through security in Alabama on his way to Chicago.

He told the Transportation Security Administration authorities he was carrying a lot of cash. Screeners found $7,000 dollars (£4,500) on him, but he was not breaking any law by carrying that much money. Officials also found several mobile phones and watches taped together in his checked baggage.

Both men were said to have changed travel plans in Chicago to take a direct flight to Amsterdam, raising suspicion among US officials. US air marshals were said to be on the flight from Chicago to Amsterdam.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said once officials found suspicious items in luggage associated with two passengers on Sunday night’s flight, they notified the Dutch authorities.

“The items were not deemed to be dangerous,” she said. She would not identify the passengers.