RIYADH, 7 January 2004 — A Saudi national was arrested on arrival at Boston’s Logan Airport at the weekend after fireworks were found in his hand luggage.
Essam Muhammad Al-Mohandis, 33, had “three small firecracker-type explosive or incendiary devices” in his carry-on luggage when he checked in for a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Boston on Saturday.
“The passenger Essam was on Lufthansa Flight No. 422 from Riyadh to Frankfurt and then left for Boston by another flight on Jan. 3,” said Lufthansa spokesman Bernd Hoffman. Three small fireworks were found during a search of a backpack the man had kept with him in the cabin.
“Essam has been charged with carrying explosive or incendiary devices on a plane, which is prohibited by federal law,” CNN said yesterday.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Essam is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.
The firecrackers were about 1.5 inches long, yellow and cylindrical, according to the chargesheet.
While going through customs in Boston, Essam, who had no other luggage, told agents he was traveling alone to the United States on business. He consented to a search of his backpack and the devices were found, the chargesheet said.
The AFP news agency said Essam also faces charges of having lied to federal agents after he told them during questioning that the fireworks were pencils.
He is accused of giving different versions of his story because he admitted his wife in Riyadh had prepared his luggage for him after first stating he had packed it himself.
