U.K. police: 1 suspect in airliner plot released

LONDON - Scotland Yard said Wednesday night that a person arrested earlier this week as part of its investigation into a foiled plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners had been released.

In a brief statement, police said the suspect was released without charge. Scotland Yard said the suspect had been arrested on Monday.

Earlier in the day a district judge ruled that British investigators have until next week to investigate the suspects arrested in the alleged plot to destroy as many as 10 trans-Atlantic jetliners, saying they could be kept in custody without charge.

It was the first major test of a new terrorism law that lets suspects be held for as long as 28 days without charge so investigators can solidify their cases.

The hearing, which addressed the cases of 23 suspects arrested in Britain’s initial sweep last week, was held behind closed doors and attended only by the suspects’ lawyers, investigators and government officials.

Scotland Yard said that 21 of the suspects could be held for questioning through Aug. 23, while another two could be held until Aug. 21. No reason was given for the difference in the length of time.

The final suspect, who was arrested Tuesday, was not involved in the hearing, Scotland Yard said, adding that he remained in police custody.

Complex inquiry
Experts say the primary reason police could use nearly a month to complete a probe is because of the complexity of investigations into the alleged plot to smuggle liquid explosives hidden in hand luggage aboard flights.

“You’ve got laptops, you have to bring in translators to translate all the documents in there, and sometimes it’s inopportune to release all your suspects — particularly terrorism suspects — while all that is being downloaded and translated,” said Cliff Knuckey, a retired police detective who has worked on terrorism investigations.

“Terrorism investigations are different, simply because you’re dealing with people who will do their best not to compromise their plans and who will do anything not to be compromised.”

Other sites examined
Police, meanwhile, examined several homes and businesses for clues into the alleged plot broken up Thursday. The suspect arrested Tuesday brought the number held to 24.

The hearing scheduled for Wednesday afternoon addressed the cases of 22 suspects arrested in the initial sweep. Under new terrorism laws, the suspects can be held for 28 days as investigators prepare charges.

Anti-terrorism laws passed after the July 7, 2005, London transit bombings give the government up to four weeks to hold suspects without charge, but they must periodically go before a judge to make a case for continued confinement. The accused person is represented by lawyers and does not appear in court.

MORE FROM AIRLINE TERROR PLOT

Airline Terror Plot Section Front

11 of 23 held in U.K. plot charged Plot mastermind in Afghanistan? Pakistan town worries about plot fallout Newsweek: The impact on air travel NBC ‘Daily Nightly’ airport dispatches Discuss: Are you afraid to fly now? Discuss: Technology and terror Airline Terror Plot Section Front   Add Airline Terror Plot headlines to your news reader: