U.K. court releases two charged in airliner plot

updated 12:25 p.m. ET Nov. 1, 2006

LONDON - A British court ruled Wednesday there was not enough evidence to try two brothers charged in connection with an alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic airliners in mid-air.

Umair Hussain, 25, and Mehran Hussain 23, had been charged with failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism in connection with the plot, which police said they foiled in August.

District Judge Quentin Purdy discharged the brothers during a hearing at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court, meaning they no longer face any charges.

They had been accused of withholding information about their brother Nabeel Hussain, 22, who is one of 11 people charged with conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism. Nabeel Hussain was granted bail on Friday, along with a 17-year-old suspect who cannot be named because he is under age.

Police arrested 25 people in raids across Britain on Aug. 9-10 and charged 17 of them, after uncovering a suspected plot to assemble and detonate improvised explosives on board as many as 10 U.S.-bound planes.

A drastic crackdown on security following the arrests snarled air traffic across the Atlantic and caused frustrating delays for thousands of passengers.

The alleged plot was described by investigators as having the potential to be on a similar scale to the Sept. 11 attacks.

The suspects' trial is tentatively set to open early in 2008.

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Pope breaks wrist after slipping in bath Belgian museum exposes celebrity underpants 2nd worker dies after Madonna tour accident Police: Priest slain in Russia solicited gay sex Pedophile check riles U.K. kids' authors Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: