U.K. Court Says Terrorists Planned To Bomb Aircraft Bound For North America

Three suspected Muslim terrorists have been found guilty in London's Woolwich Crown Court of plotting to destroy airliners using explosives smuggled in plastic soda bottles. When originally uncovered, the plot was responsible for sweeping new rules governing liquids and gels carried on airplanes.

Abdulla Ahmed Ali, 28, Assad Sarwar, 29, and Tanvir Hussain, 28 were found guilty of plotting to down as many as seven airliners bound for the U.S. and Canada simultaneously. Authorities estimated had the plot been successful as many as 2000 airline passengers and crew could have been killed. Britain's Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the plot would have brought "murder and mayhem on an unimaginable scale." Others said political ties between London and Washington could have been strained to the breaking point.

The Associated Press says British police believe the men were only days away from putting their plan in motion when they were rounded up in 2006. Hundreds of airliners were grounded when the plot was revealed, creating chaos in the international airline system.  25 were originally arrested, though many were later released without being charged. Of those charged, four pleaded guilty to lesser crimes, and one was acquitted.

Prosecutors said the bombers planned to use hydrogen-peroxide bombs assembled in airplane lavatories to bring down the planes. Attacks were reportedly planned in two waves in an effort to cause more widespread panic. British and U.S. security officials indicated the plot was guided by senior Pakistani Islamic militants and directly tied to al-Qaida.

FMI: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk