GRENADE: MAN HELD
A man whose luggage allegedly contained a hand grenade when he landed at Gatwick Airport was remanded in custody when he appeared in a London court.
Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan, a 37-year-old Venezuelan, was remanded until February 24 when he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court charged under the Terrorism Act.
He was stopped by Customs officers on Thursday after arriving on a British Airways flight he had boarded in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
Interpreter
He has been charged with possession of an article for the purpose of committing a terrorist act, possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or damage property and carrying a dangerous article on a British-registered aircraft.
Rahaham-Alan, bearded and with long, black hair, walked into court dressed in a baggy blue jumper.
He sat in the dock with a single police officer and a female Spanish interpreter during the five-minute hearing. Police van carrying suspect
His lawyer, Peter Corrigan, said he could understand the proceedings in English but the interpreter would provide clarification if necessary.
Flights suspended
Rahaham-Alan, whose occupation is unknown, stood and spoke in a barely audible voice as he gave his full name and date of birth to the court.
He was questioned throughout the weekend by detectives from Scotland Yard's Anti-Terrorist Branch who have been liaising with their counterparts in South America.
Following the alleged grenade discovery, passengers at Gatwick were evacuated from the North Terminal and outbound flights were suspended.
District Judge Nicholas Evans ended the hearing by telling the defendant that he was transferring the case to the Old Bailey under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act.
There was no application for bail.