'Suspicious device' in bathroom of Ryanair flight intercepted by RAF jets 'not of concern'
Two men arrested by counter-terrorism police after a Ryanair flight to the UK was intercepted by RAF fighter jets have been released because a "suspicious device" in the plane's bathroom was "found not to be of concern".
A 34-year-old man from Kuwait and a 48-year-old man from Italy were arrested soon after 7pm on Sunday.
In a statement released on Monday, the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit said: "Officers investigating reports of a suspicious device on a flight landing at London Stansted Airport on Sunday have concluded their inquiries.
"Following reports of a suspicious device in the bathroom of a plane arriving from Vienna, Austria, shortly after 7pm, Counter Terrorism Policing officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit detained two men under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act (2000).
"After examination by specialist investigators, the object was found not to be of concern. Officers spoke with the two men and neither were considered to have committed any offences."
Detective Superintendent Andy Waldie added: "We understandably take any reports of suspicious objects or behaviour on flights very seriously and thankfully on this occasion there was no cause for concern.
"I'd like to thank those on the flight for their cooperation and understanding while officers conducted their inquiries."