Hijack suspect to appear before judge

A hijack suspect arrested with a loaded gun on his way to a London-bound flight was due before a judge in Stockholm tomorrow to decide whether he should be charged, stay in detention or be freed.

Muslim convert Karem Chatty, 29, was arrested last Thursday with a gun in his hand luggage at the Swedish airport and faces possible charges of planning to hijack a plane and illegal possession of a firearm.

As more details emerged of his time at a flying school in the US – he did not complete the course – Swedish police said that the international prosecutor handling the case was preparing for the hearing tomorrow at which a court must determine if formal charges should be filed – or if the suspect should be held as the investigation continues.

Swedish authorities have been in touch with intelligence agencies around the world after Thursday’s arrest, which came just before the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US.

Scotland Yard said it was helping the investigation, which has been taken over by Sweden’s International Prosecution Office.

A Yard spokesman said: “We are liaising as a matter of course with Swedish authorities and Essex and West Midlands Constabulary, and continue to offer every assistance.

“This may involve sending anti-terrorist officers in due course.”

A British Home Office spokesman said: “Airport security is already operating at increased levels and this is a timely reminder of the need for vigilance.”

A party of Muslims from Sweden abandoned plans to travel to Britain for an Islamic conference after Chatty’s arrest, organisers of the religious event said tonight.

A spokesman for the gathering of Salafi Muslims in Small Heath, Birmingham, said he believed the 20-strong party had opted not to attend the event after their release because of the stress of being detained by Swedish authorities.

The spokesman, who declined to be named, said: “We understand they changed their minds, which I think any sensible person would do in such circumstances.”

Conference organisers have condemned all acts of terrorism and denied any knowledge of Chatty's alleged intention to travel to the three-day conference at the Salafi Centre in Wright Street, Small Heath.

Chatty’s lawyer says he denies planning to hijack the flight to London on Thursday.