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CNN Live Saturday

Man Arrested in Sweden for Boarding Plane With Gun

Aired August 31, 2002 - 17:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now onto what could become an international investigation into the connections of a Swedish man suspected of attempted hijacking. At issue: A 29-year-old man arrested at an airport in central Sweden after trying to board a plane with a gun in his carry-on bag. ITN's Katie Resolve (ph) brings us the details now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATIE RESOLVE, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Was this man planning an audacious strike against America abroad? 29-year-old Karem Chatty, arrested by Swedish police on Thursday with a gun in his hand luggage as he boarded a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) flight to London.

Confusion today, as sources inside Swedish military police and the CIA at one point said he was plotting to fly the aircraft into an American embassy somewhere in Europe. That was categorically denied by Swedish police officials.

ULF PALM, SPOKESMAN, SWEDISH POLICE FORCE: That information has been denied by the security police. We are gathering so much evidence that we are sure that he won't be released at the court appearance early next week.

RESOLVE: Like the September the 11th terrorists, police say Chatty went to a flying school in the U.S., where he lived in 1996. When we telephoned the South Carolina school today, they said their records were unclear on whether he'd attended a course.

Chatty has a violent part, but is claimed to converted to Islam and reformed.

NILS UGGLA, KAREM CHATTY'S LAWYER (through translator): He denies it has anything to do with terrorist actions or hijacking. He has a good explanation for why the gun ended up there, but I cannot go into it.

RESOLVE: Since September the 11th, America has tightened security around its potential targets across the world. When an arrest is made, the natural assumption is an al Qaeda connection. Particularly now, with the anniversary so close. The Swedish police believe Chatty's is more likely a copycat attack than a fully planned terrorist operation.

But there have been a series of terror alerts across Europe for the American authorities to worry about. Last September, their Paris embassy was targeted in a foiled plan to fly a helicopter into the building. In February, the focus switched to Rome. Four men were arrested with cyanide compound and maps of the site. And at Easter, Washington warned of possible attacks on American citizens in four cities in northern Italy.

Swedish police must charge Karem Chatty by moon on Monday. By then, we'll have a clearer idea of whether they believe he's part of a conspiracy or just acting alone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: U.S. State Department officials say the investigation is in the hands of Swedish authorities. They're prepared to help, if needed. They say they have no information that Chatty was targeting a U.S. embassy, though.

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