Mohammed al Modadi – UA Flight 663 “Shoe Bomb”

Qatari diplomat named as Mohammed al Modadi was the cause of the United Airlines flight 663 (UA Flight 663) disturbance today.

Terror Alert: Passenger Restrained On Flight

Sky’s US correspondent Robert Nisbet said: “Just before 9pm (2am BST) as the plane was nearing Denver, a passenger was observed spending a long time in the bathroom.”

“When he emerged there were reports that smoke could be smelt. A US air marshal approached the passenger, Mohammed al Modadi, who reportedly said he was trying to set his shoes on fire. It’s not clear whether this was meant as a joke or if he’d been smoking. It’s believed the man is a Qatari diplomat who had full diplomatic immunity.”

“Two F-16 fighters were scrambled and intercepted the plane and escorted it on to the ground in Denver.”

The Qatari diplomat is now being questioned by the FBI:

Bomb-sniffing dogs however found no traces of explosives aboard the aircraft, and security officials did not confirm that an attempted act of terrorism had taken place. Amid conflicting reports, CNN said explosives had not been found in his shoes.

Other accounts said he may have been joking or may simply have been smoking in the toilet. As the third secretary and vice-consul at Qatar’s embassy in Washington, he has full diplomatic immunity.