Thu, May 12, 2011
Suspect Reportedly Shouted "Allah Akbar" As He Tried To Enter
The Cockpit
A Yemeni man who was arrested Sunday after he allegedly tried to
enter the cockpit of an American Airlines flight has been arraigned
by a federal judge in California. Rageh Ahmed Mohammed Al-Murisi
faces a prison sentence of as much as 20 years.
Al-Murisi reportedly strode to the front of the airplane shortly
before arrival in San Francisco Sunday evening, and attempted to
break down the cockpit door. An affidavit from a federal air
marshal indicated that at first the flight crew thought he was
confused, and tried to direct him to the lavatory on the plane. But
then, he attempted to enter the cockpit by ramming it with his
shoulder while shouting "Allah Akbar," which is a phrase has
been associated with terrorism. It is also often used by
Muslims engaging in prayer. Described as a "small" man, he was
restrained by several passengers and a flight attendant.
The French news service AFP reports that Al-Murisi was traveling
alone, with no checked or carry-on luggage, from New York to San
Francisco. He reportedly changed planes in Chicago. He has family
living near San Francisco, but they apparently did not know he was
coming. Among the items he was carrying were several current and
expired forms of New York and California ID.
Al-Murisi has not entered a plea. He is charged with interfering
with a flight crew. His public defender has asked that he be
released into the custody of his California family, and a hearing
on that issue is scheduled for Friday.
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