But Five Of Six Suspects Since Released

The German newspaper Die Welt reports police in that country have foiled a bomb plot targeting Israel's El Al airline.

Authorities say the plot involved paying a worker with access to secure areas at Frankfurt International Airport to smuggle a bomb-laden suitcase onto one of the airline's planes.

Police in Karlsruhe have reportedly identified six suspects in the plot. They are also investigating a number of as-yet unidentified individuals who may also be connected to the plan.

Officials say the six suspects -- whose names and nationalities have not been made public -- repeatedly made contact with the worker at Frankfurt, but were unable to agree on a price to plant the bomb.

In an odd turn, however, the Federal Prosecutors Office released five of the six suspects this weekend... and wouldn't say why.

"The suspects were temporarily taken into custody and informed of the suspicions against them before they were released on Saturday, with the exception of one wanted in connection with another crime," the office said, according to Israel's YNet news service.

The FPO added men are believed to be connected to a terrorist organization.

 "I can't comment on the particularities about the decision to release them," said a spokesman for the German interior ministry.

A spokeswoman for El Al would not comment on the case, saying it is the airline's policy to not respond to matters related to security.

Stay tuned.

FMI: www.elal.co.il