Qatari diplomat held in US flight scare

[Panama Jack]

1 hour, 41 minutes ago


WASHINGTON (AFP) - US air marshals wrestled a Qatari diplomat to the floor on a flight to Denver in a security scare that prompted fighter jets to be scrambled and top White House aides to brief President Barack Obama, officials said.

But in the end, the incident on Wednesday turned out to be a false alarm, triggered when the Qatari reportedly lit a cigarette in one of the plane's restrooms and then, when confronted, joked he was trying to ignite his shoes.

The plane landed safely at Denver International Airport following the disturbance, and US officials later said it appeared the passenger was not trying to blow up the plane, although the incident was under investigation.

Qatar's ambassador to Washington Ali Bin Fajad al-Hajari said in a statement that the diplomat was traveling to Denver on official embassy business.

"He was certainly not engaged in any threatening activity," the ambassador said. "The facts will reveal that this was a mistake, and we urge all concerned parties to avoid reckless judgments or speculation."

But the scare prompted fighter jets to scramble and intercept the flight amid fears of a possible repeat of a passenger's foiled attempt to bring down a Northwest Airlines jet on Christmas Day as it approached to land at Detroit.

"The president was briefed by National Security Advisor General Jim Jones and National Security Staff Chief of Staff Denis McDonough at 8:50 pm EDT and appropriate actions were taken to ensure the safety of the traveling public," a White official said on condition of anonymity.

"The incident is currently under investigation," the official added.

Obama was aboard Air Force One at the time, en route to Prague to sign a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.

Law enforcement authorities initially notified key lawmakers that US air marshals subdued the Qatari national after he apparently sought to "ignite their (his) shoe" on the flight, a congressional aide told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Air marshals jumped in, and the cockpit wasn't breached," the official said.

The man was identified in US media reports as Qatari diplomat Mohammed al-Modadi, 27, who as the third secretary and vice consul of the Qatari embassy in Washington enjoys full diplomatic immunity.

The FBI was investigating the incident, but a US official told AFP the incident was "not what it appeared to be" and there was no attempt to detonate a bomb.

NBC News said a search of the man found no explosives and that bomb-sniffing dogs found no traces of explosives aboard the aircraft.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said the passenger was placed in custody, adding it was "monitoring" the incident.

Federal officials told NBC the incident occurred half an hour before United Airlines flight 663 was due to make a scheduled stop in Denver on a flight that originated at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

A flight attendant smelled smoke as a passenger came out of a restroom, and alerted an air marshal, the report said.

The marshal confronted the man, and then wrestled him to the ground after he made the statement about lighting his shoes, NBC said.

A US security official acknowledged "it may have been a massive misunderstanding," telling ABC that Al-Modadi may have been making a "sarcastic" comment when he was confronted by two air marshals.

The pilot declared an emergency, and two F-16 fighter jets raced to intercept the aircraft around 6:45 pm (0045 GMT Thursday) under the authority of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

"Shortly before landing in Denver, a passenger possibly caused a disturbance on the plane. Upon intercepting the aircraft, the F-16s escorted the aircraft until it landed safely without incident at approximately 6:50 pm (0050 GMT) where the plane was met by local law enforcement," NORAD said.

The plane was carrying 157 passengers and six crew members on a flight originally scheduled to ultimately arrive in Las Vegas after a scheduled stop in Denver.

The incident came a week after the United States unveiled new security measures subjecting all US-bound plane passengers to screening methods that use real-time intelligence to target potential threats, replacing the mandatory screening of passengers from a blacklist of 14 mainly Muslim countries.

The measures were announced in the wake of a Nigerian man's failed attempt to detonate explosives concealed in his underwear on a Detroit-bound flight from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.


Source: Yahoo! News

:rolleyes:

Don't diplomats understand how to behave properly in foreign countries?

[Fellowship of the drink]

This comes after we "foreigners" in the Middle East keep getting reminded by the locals to behave ourselves and to respect the local culture and laws.

Its seems the "locals" here don't give a rat's arse about other countries laws or culture. They do as they please yet they have the hypocrisy to jail a couple for giving each other a peck on the cheek.

[Iver]

This diplomat sounds like a complete idiot. Not smoking on US airlines is a super-basic rule that every passenger is remined of at the beginning of each flight. Talk about embarrassing...

[noise of freedom]

the reason....???

this reflects the general attitude and lack of culture...no excuse.


nof:=:=:=:=:=:=

[NG_Kaptain]

I suppose a promotion is in order for the gentleman in question, maybe an ambassadorship in Washington, London or some other plum location. Seems he's very well connected.Qatar's ambassador to Washington Ali Bin Fajad al-Hajari said in a statement that the diplomat was traveling to Denver on official embassy business.

"He was certainly not engaged in any threatening activity," the ambassador said. "The facts will reveal that this was a mistake, and we urge all concerned parties to avoid reckless judgments or speculation."

[MPN11]

May I offer a few words such as ... stupid, arrogant, irresponsible, juvenile?

I earnestly hope that this pseudo-diplomat is declared "persona non grata" at the earliest opportunity.

I gather from Fox [sorry] that he has already claimed diplomatic immunity.

And I do agree with others such as FOD - try that sort of rule-ignoring in their culture. :ugh:

[tcas II]

This guy thought that he is on Qatar Airways flight, where those Qatari can do what ever they want one the flight ex- talk on mobile, smoking the toilet and shouting to cabin crew.:\

[Alvand]

DIPLOMAT ..?? my arse..!!... This guy is a certified BUFOON...:}...

[chuckunu]

Typical stupid, arrogant, irresponsible dip Shi7.

He needs to be held accountable.


Or maybe Daddy should bend him over his Knee and give him a good Beatin.

Hey Nice way to represent the Qatari's jerk wad.

[togaluck]

He should have been f*ckng shot on the spot, or better yet beaten by angry passengers, go ahead, claim diplomatic immunity then... dumba$$

[togaluck]

That "diplomat" secretary looks freakin' indian.... maybe he's one of those son's of DRIVERS qataris.

[a345xxx]

WOW! Togaluck take it easy on the racism!!!!

[411A]

TV news now says the concerned individual has been recalled to Doha, and has 24 hours to leave the country.
Wonder what the reception in DOH will be like?:}

[BadAndy]

Nothing racist about what togaluck said. Brown, black, red, or blue, I don't care. You come out of the lav (after smoking) and make a stupid comment about lighting your shoes on fire, and you deserve more than a beating. Three bullets (2 to the chest, one to the head) would have been appropriate...

The really crappy part is (straight from a FAM friend of mine) is that the Qataris have whisked him out of the country, but are demanding the 2 FAMs on the flight be addressed as well. So, it looks like two guys just doing their job are going to have black marks on the files because of some smart-mouthed little punk. Nice...

Next time, shoot the little bugger...

[loc22550]

We ALL known that security has become a VERY SENSITIVE issue in US after the 9/11...who can blame them..?
This "smart" qatari diplomat(based in US..!) should have known that and think twice before acting/talking or "joking" like that..
Try to make a joke about Islam here (THE SENSITIVE issue here in the middle east.)and you might end up in jail or kick out of the country...
Same same....

[a345xxx]

togaluck That "diplomat" secretary looks freakin' indian.... maybe he's one of those son's of DRIVERS qataris.

I beg to differ BadAndy! If you guys have something against the guy for being an insensitive buffoon or a total jackass so be it but dragging up racist cr&p is not acceptable!

[Geebz]

I think it's good he got kicked out of the country. He lacks the most basic of common sense. I'm sure he'll really go far in gov't service.

[roadrunner21]

This diplomat sounds like a complete idiot. Not smoking on US airlines is a super-basic rule that every passenger is remined of at the beginning of each flight. Talk about embarrassing...

On the same note, while taking a crap during cruise on EK metal a few hours ago, looked up and Lo and behold

The smoke detector on the crappers' roof said something along the lines of "Blah Blah $2000 + Federal + Blah Blah"

As mere SLF , I figured that in this time and age the only time you can smoke inflight is

a) on the flight deck ( on some operators )
b) no where else

What kind of an idiot smokes on an airplane considering that there are next to no airlines that allow smoking

disclaimer: smoker here

[SIUYA]

roadrunner21...

What kind of an idiot smokes on an airplane...

In this case (obviously) an idiot Qatari diplomat. :ugh:

Makes me wonder if ''Qatari diplomat'' is perhaps an oxymoron, because the so-called diplomat in question was clearly a moron. :*

[fullforward]

Why they didn't put this idiot in jail long enough for him to realize some cold facts of life?

[TOGA LOCK]

Hello Everyone:

I would like to make it clear that the gentleman writing in this forum, Mr togaluck, is not me TOGA LOCK. His views are not my views.

I have been posting in forums and keeping on even keel. By this I want to say that by no means I would make a racist comment.

As per the present thread, well, unfortunate incident. I wouldn't go as far as to call every Qatari "uncultured" because of this situation. However, I must admit that some do behave like little kids, either in Qatar and abroad. Time to grow up fellows!!!

Cheers, and blue side up!!!

[muppet in the sky]

Fullforward,

He has diplomatic immunity, they can't chuck him in jail that easily.

[roadrunner21]

togaluck (http://www.pprune.org/members/171631-togaluck) That "diplomat" secretary looks freakin' indian.... maybe he's one of those son's of DRIVERS qataris. (http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/411519-qatari-diplomat-held-us-flight-scare.html#post5623237)Arent they all the same? Figured that while you are talking about race, may as well jump on the bandwagon.

Prior to the discovery of the stuff that comes out of the ground (not sand) most of the trade was done with south asia. Trade back then used to imply that people would stay over make-babies etc. I.e. lots of genetic sharing.

Go to Zanzibar and people dress similar to Omanis of today, thats what trade did back then. Now,its all about tariff barriers and negotiations

Keep in mind that back then DOH/DXB/MCT - KHI/BOM/COK was not a same day turnaround but a month long voyage each way with a month spent at the destination. The ties with the rest of the Arab World was via camel caravans and women rarely traveled.
Just head down to Ras Al Khaiman/Musandam Kumzar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumzar) (could not find a better source, i.e. too lazy to google ) / Oman / Yemen and if you take away the traditional dress and dress up (10% , arbitrary figure ) the people in whatever people on the west coast of south asia wear you will not see any marked difference in appearances.

Just voicing my unsubstituted observations as togaluck was voicing its

EDIT:fixed typos

[loc22550]

quote:
"Go to Zanzibar and people dress similar to omanis of today.."

Sounds logic as Zanzibar was part of the Omani empire till the 1860 and was actually its second capital..:ok:

[BadAndy]

togaluck That "diplomat" secretary looks freakin' indian.... maybe he's one of those son's of DRIVERS qataris.

I beg to differ BadAndy! If you guys have something against the guy for being an insensitive buffoon or a total jackass so be it but dragging up racist cr&p is not acceptable!

a345x

I still don't see anything racist about his comments. And I certainly meant nothing racist by mine. So, either I'm thick-headed and missing something obvious, or you are a little too sensitive and too willing to throw around the "race card." Either way, the guy is still an idiot, and got what he deserved (being removed from the country).

[jammydonut]

What's the big deal ?
If he had just been a Joe Public Yank, a good kicking in the slammer and it would all be forgotten. Whoever the dumb arse who called up the F16's should be looking for another job despatching taxi's

[a345xxx]

if you don't see anything offensive by saying " he look's freakin Indian " when he is not then so be it but please explain to me what is the author trying to insinuate?

as for being sensitive maybe we all could be a bit more sensitive to others especially when it involves race and religion?

[Pitch Up Authority]

The lawyer of the Qatari claims that his client was brought under the influence of drugs by a third party, hence not responsible for his actions.

[togaluck]

a345xxx

Thanks for your candid interest in my post.

First of all I did not say he was indian, i said he LOOKS indian. You can google his picture on any news websites and many people agreee with me. You can almost hear him saying "ok ok Sr." or "no problem, only cigarette Sr. no shoe bomb Mr Airmarshall" wabbling his head.

Second, I wrote "he looks freakin' indian" as an exclamation, not implying that looks LIKE a FREAKIN' INDIAN. Although there are some that get on your nerves, not all of them do, as with any other nationality, race or creed. It was not intended as a racist comment, but if the shoe fits, be my guest. I do stereotype, we all do, it's a human thing.

Third, last time I checked, the internet is a FREE medium, where you can say ANYTHING you want. I have NO reason to be sensitive about your or anybody's national origin, race or religion.

Simply said, if you don't like what you read, DO NOT read it. I believe in freedom of speech.
I will critize anything or anyone I want, Specially an ibecile like that qatari "diplomat secretary" whom I still think shoul have been beaten by angry passengers or shot by the air marshalls and LOOKS indian.

Cheers,

togaluck :eek:

(not toga lock)

[a345xxx]

Need I say more.....

[togaluck]

jammydonut

Maybe the person who sent the F16's is the same dumba$$ who set up security screening for crews in the UK.... where they take away the cabin crew's lipstick, since we all KNOW how dangerous it is! specially when it's not on the ziploc bag!!

I think the F16's were overkill, but being one of the countries on constant terror alert, remember the detroit knickers-bomber, people actually understand.

It's almost as overkill as the billions of cameras in the streets of london.

[togaluck]

a345xxx

Exactly, you won't say more.

But you can, because it's a FREE medium.

[togaluck]

Like I said..... wait..

Like you said too!!

a345xxx wrote

Mana Dubai!!!! Hey this is not some 3rd world country like Myanmar or Zimbabwe! Everyone has the right just like you, however telling people what to say and write is akin to censorship and a dictatorial regime. Very simple if you don't like what you see , don't look and if you don't like what you read start a new anti PPRuNe website and get everyone to boycott PPRuNe. Its your right but don't come here and play the high and almighty!




Don't come here as a holier-than-thou...
Like WE said, if you don't like it, leave.


Ps. By the way, all these gulf countries ARE third world countries. with a lot of money but third world countries.

[a345xxx]

Please don't use my views on free speech to justify your racist views.

[THR MCT]

In my opinion in all this unfortunate story there are 3 Big Idiots
1- the Pax off course
2- the guy who dispatched 2 F16
3- the happy pilots on this forum, on how all this story of unruly pax was handled .
let me point out some very disturbing remarks from BA, TL, " just put 2 bullets in the chest and one in the head he looks like Indian" isn,t this racial profialing, by the way when you have an escort of 2 F16 no matter if you are from the United State of America or from zigwiwi if the same dud who dispatched the Fighters by any misunderstanding gave them the "Go" you will be history by now.
let me guess the headlines on Fox or Abc news "Another colateral damage".

my point is nothing to be proud off on how all this story was handled we have plenty of this unruly Pax case in all the region no one calls for 150 Mega tonnes Nuclear Bomb the max the guycan get is just blacklisted from flying with the Airline.

WE need wise man in this world we have enough of CowBoys
Very good post A345XX
Fly high and keep it safe.

TM

[togaluck]

THR MCT

You're almost right.

1- OF course (not off-course) the passenger, is the biggest idiot, he could have been shot by the air marshalls, or beaten to death by the passengers, as you know, it has happened before. Imagine the international incident that would have been? All because mohamed al-moron couldn't wait to light up a cigarette, joked about a shoe bomb, on his way to see a terrorist, 4 months after a failed attempt, and thought he wouldn't get in trouble because of his diplomatic immunity. People like that steal oxygen from the rest of us, meaning if it were up to natural selection, he would be a fossil.

2- The guy who dispatched the F16's, not so, remember 9/11?? when airplanes were used to go through buildings? It is now standard procedure in the United States to escort any airliner that has declared a hi-jack or attempted hi-jack. They figure in the worst case scenario, the people on the plane are done (remember 9/11), so if terrorist want to do any more damage, they shoot your a$$ out of the sky. That's how serious the situation concenrning security in that country is. Live with it. Or better yet, don't go.

3- How the story was handled by the happy pilots in this forum, well, it is a pilot's forum, even worst, it's a pilots rumor network forum. So even you are entitled to your opinion.

My point is, they handled the situation for better or worst in the only way they could, what if it had been a real terrorist attack? Welcome to a post 9/11 world.

In this region, unfortunately unruly passengers are given a slap on the wrist and just blacklisted from the airline. They should be HEAVILY FINED according to their means, so that none of these rich bitchhes could brag about it, and JAILED for at least 6 months.
If planes had gone through the burj or any other monument to the inferiority complex in this region, they would act in a very similar way as the Americans do, with a twist, shoot first, ask later.

Like I said you are almost right, we do need wise men in this world, luckily for us it's not you THR MCT or a345xxx

Just to make it clear once again, this is not a racist comment, only an observation, the qatari diplomat in the news picture looks indian.
And for those who are "sensitive" little %@%#, I am NOT implying that looking indian, pakistani, bangladeshi, maldivian, nepali, arab or any other nationality or ethnical background is a bad thing.

[EGGW]

Right you lot. I have removed the worst rubbish, any more posts stating the bleeding obvious about what a particular nationality may or may not look like, will get the user banned.

Calm down please and try and recognise when you are being baited for a response. :=

EGGW

[togaluck]

LOL

thanks

I guess free speech is a b*tch...

[EGGW]

If you mean by obeying the rules of Pprune, that there is no free speech, yes that is true.

Have a few days off TOGALUCK to calm down

EGGW

[Bidalot]

Thanks a lot EGGW to give us some rest from this poor moron :ok: