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Editorial writers decry system failure that let would-be bomber on Northwest flight
Umar Farouk AbdulmutallaAP photoEditorials and columns in publications around the country today blasted the failure of authorities to prevent terrorism suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from boarding a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day. Abdulmutallab, who ...
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A Nigerian national being held at the University of Michigan Medical Center was charged in a federal criminal complaint today with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft and placing a destructive device on the aircraft.
The FBI's Detroit office also revealed additional details of what occurred as the plane made its descent into Detroit Metro Airport from Amsterdam.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, is expected to make his initial court appearance later today. He was taken to the U-M Medical Center for his injuries, but no update on his medical condition was available this afternoon.
According to an affidavit filed today, Abdulmutallab boarded Northwest Flight 253 in Amsterdam on Thursday with a device attached to his body.
Abdulmutallab went to the bathroom for about 20 minutes before the plane was descending into Detroit Metro Airport, according to the affidavit. After returning to his seat, he said his stomach was upset and pulled a blanket over himself.
Passengers then heard popping noises similar to firecrackers, smelled an odor and some saw Abdulmutallab’s pants leg and the wall of the airplane on fire, the FBI said. Passengers and crew subdued Abdulmutallab and used blankets and fire extinguishers to put out the flames.
Passengers told authorities Abdulmutallab was calm and lucid throughout. One flight attendant asked him what he had had in his pocket, and he replied “explosive device,” the FBI said.
The FBI said a preliminary analysis showed the device contained PETN, also known as pentaerythritol, a high explosive. In addition, FBI agents recovered what appear to be the remnants of a syringe from the vicinity of Abdulmutallab’s seat, believed to have been part of the device, a press release said.
More coverage elsewhere: • CNN: Suspect charged with trying to destroy Northwest flight • CNN video: Passenger who helped subdue the suspect in an attempted terror attack aboard flight 253 • CNN video: Passenger: Terror suspect seemed 'stunned' • New York Times: Restrictions rise after terrorism attempt • Detroit Free Press: Security expert: Device would have caught terror suspect before flight • The Associated Press: U.S. knew of terror suspect • Detroit Free Press: Detroit not intended target of foiled terror attempt? • Detroit News: Detroit flight passenger says people screamed to put out fire
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