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U.S. plane's diversion not related to terrorism: Dutch minister

Last Updated: Thursday, August 24, 2006 | 1:28 PM ET

CBC News

There is no evidence that any of the 12 passengers removed from a U.S. airliner after they raised the suspicions of the crew were involved in terrorism, Dutch authorities said Thursday.

The Northwest Airlines DC-10 departed from the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport en route to India on Wednesday, but was ordered to return after the crew noticed 12 of the plane's 149 passengers fiddling with cellphones during takeoff.

Justice Minister Piet Hiet Donner said Thursday that the men were questioned after the plane was escorted back by two Dutch fighter jets and landed in Amsterdam.

They were released without charges being laid on Thursday.

"It does not appear to be terror-related," Donner told reporters in the Hague.

"There is no indication of a terrorist threat on the plane that returned to Schiphol."

Donner said the strong reaction by aviation authorities was "connected with [the] behaviour" of the 12 men.

News media in India have cited government officials saying all the men were Indian-born, as well as passenger reports that the men seemed to range in age from 25 to 35.

Airlines and airports around the world have been under heightened security since the announcement by British police in early August that they had foiled an alleged plot to bomb as many as 10 commercial airliners.

The plane has continued its flight to Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay.

With files from the Associated Press

This story is now closed to commenting.

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