UK police granted more time to quiz bomb suspects

LONDON (Reuters) – A British court on Wednesday gave police
more time to question 23 people suspected of plotting to blow
up transatlantic airliners.

A police statement said the warrants for 21 of the suspects
were extended until August 23 and for two others until August
21.

Detectives had to apply to extend the detention warrants
for 23 of the 24 suspects arrested since police said they had
foiled a plan to carry out suicide bombings on planes bound for
the United States using liquid explosives disguised as drinks.

The 23 people are all British-born Muslims, mainly of
Pakistani descent. Police can hold suspects for up to 28 days
before charging or releasing them.

One more person was detained on Tuesday in connection with
the alleged plot, disclosed by police last week.

If carried out, the alleged plot by suspected Islamist
militants could have surpassed the September 11, 2001, attacks
on the United States in fatalities.