2 held over probe into alleged U.S. embassy plot

updated 7:32 a.m. ET Oct. 4, 2007

VIENNA, Austria - Two men arrested earlier this week in connection with a suspected plot to bomb the U.S. Embassy will remain in custody during the investigation, authorities said Thursday.

A suspect identified as Asim C., a 42-year-old Bosnian, was arrested Monday after embassy guards found his bag packed with grenades, plastic explosives and pieces of metal, police said.

He fled but was captured nearby after tossing the backpack into the street. It did not explode, and no one was injured, authorities said.

Police later arrested a second suspect, another Bosnian identified as Mehmed D., 34, in Tulln, a town about 15 miles west of Vienna.

A judge has ruled that both must remain in custody during the investigation, said Gerhard Jarosch, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office. Their detention will be evaluated in two weeks, he said.

More from msnbc.com What do you remember? Take our weekly quiz ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? World Cup or world stage? N. Korea on display Afghanistan's dogs of war sniff out mines On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Italian court convicts Amanda Knox   Russian nightclub fire kills 103 Hit man alleges Berlusconi tie to Mafia U.S., Russia vow to respect expiring treaty Swine flu shot may give young kids fever Polanski begins house arrest in Swiss chalet Fugitive ex-wife in Tucson killing caught Sapling from Anne Frank tree planted in Amsterdam Homeless brothers in line to inherit billions Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: