Grenade Suspect Reportedly Had Forged ID

www.heraldtribune.com The Associated Press

Venezuelan authorities said Tuesday a man arrested for carrying a live hand grenade at London's Gatwick airport showed a British court this week a forged Venezuelan identification card. The man who identified himself as Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan, 37, held up the card during a court appearance in London on Monday and said he lived in Caracas, Venezuela. But Venezuela's Immigration Director Alfredo Gil said the card's number is registered to a woman living in Venezuela. Gil said authorities are investigating to determine if the man's passport is also false. Rahaham-Alan was arrested last week during a huge security alert when the army placed more than 400 troops at Heathrow airport west of London and stepped up security at other airports. Rahaham-Alan had a Venezuelan passport and arrived on a flight from Caracas, police said. Officers said they found a grenade in his luggage and shut Gatwick's North Terminal for several hours. He was charged Sunday night with possession of an explosive, possession of an article for terrorist purposes and carrying a dangerous item on a flight. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24.