Man's Cousin Reportedly Joined The Islamic State group in Syria

An EgyptAir mechanic whose cousin had joined the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria may have planted a bomb on board the Russian airliner that went down in October, resulting in the fatal injury of all 224 people on board.

Fox News relays a report from Reuters that indicates that the mechanic, two airport police officer, and a baggage handler had been detained in association with the plot. None has been prosecuted.

Egypt has never publicly said that there is no evidence that a bomb or other terrorist activity brought down the plane. No arrests have been made in either Egypt or Russia in connection with the tragedy.

But one source told Reuters that ISIS gave a handbag containing a bomb to the cousin, instruction him to give it to the mechanic. "He was told to not ask any questions and get the bomb on the plane," the source said.

A second source said that two policemen may have played a role by making it possible for the bomb to get through a security checkpoint at the airport.

Egypt says that the incident has caused a substantial drop in tourism, costing the county hundreds of millions of dollars.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.civilaviation.gov.eg