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A plot to bomb an El Al airliner at Frankfurt International Airport was foiled by German security agencies, authorities say. German prosecutors detained six people and believe a number of others may also have been involved in the plot, which was in the preparation stages when it was forestalled. Five of the accused were released after questioning: German law requires suspects to be released after 48 hours unless prosecutors can convince a judge that holding them for a longer time is warranted. According to media accounts, last summer several alleged plotters persuaded someone with security clearance at an unidentified airport to put a bag containing explosives onto an airliner, in return for a sum of money. However, when the accused had difficulty agreeing with the plot’s financers on the amount to be offered, the scheme apparently fell apart. German authorities are in close contact with Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency. An Israeli Transportation Ministry official told Israeli press that the security alert following the arrests covered only Frankfurt airport, and described security there as “very good.” |
