PIA bomb suspect released in Sweden

STOCKHOLM - A Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, who was detained at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport on suspicion of planning to blow up a Pakistan-bound plane, has been released after questioning by the police.

According to reports, the Boeing 777 Pakistan International Airlines plane flying from Toronto to Karachi had made an emergency landing on Saturday at the airport because of a bomb threat on board.

Stockholm police had evacuated passengers from the plane, and questioned the suspect.

Stockholm police spokesman Janne Hedlund said that the suspect was released as no explosives had been found from his baggage.

All passengers, except the suspect, were allowed back on the plane, which took off for Manchester, England, from where the passengers continued their journey to Karachi, The News reports.

Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was investigating whether the incident was a “terrorism hoax”.

The unscheduled landing came after a woman called Canadian police, and said that there was a man on board who may be carrying explosives with him.

Canadian police then contacted the pilot, who requested permission to land at Sweden’s Arlanda airport. (ANI)