US/Nigeria - Christmas Day bomb plot

US charges Nigerian suspect with attempt to blow up plane

Article published on the 2010-01-07 Latest update 2010-01-07 08:05 TU

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
Photo: Reuters

A United States grand jury has charged Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on six counts over the alleged plot to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day. The 23-year-old Nigerian is accused of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder.

Abdulmutallab carried explosive materials concealed in his clothing with which to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253 as it landed in Detroit from Amsterdam, according to charges filed in Michigan district court on Wednesday.

The 290 people aboard escaped unharmed after crew and passengers overpowered Abdulmutallab.

He now faces six charges:

• attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction;
• attempted murder onboard a US aeroplane;
• wilful attempt to destroy and wreck an aircraft;
• wilfully placing a destructive device in or near an aircraft;
• two counts of possession of a firearm for use in violent crime.

Abdulmutallab will enter his plea to the charges at an arraignment on Friday.

If convicted of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction, he faces life imprisonment, the Department of Justice said in a statement. Other charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, while the two counts of possession of a firearm carry a mandatory 30 years in prison.

"Anyone we find responsible for this alleged attack will be brought to justice using every tool - military or judicial - available to our government," said Attorney General Eric Holder.

He added that the investigation into the bomb plot was "fast-paced, global and ongoing, and it has already yielded valuable intelligence that we will follow wherever it leads".