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Nine Hijackers Were Flagged For Security Screening
WASHINGTON, March 3 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Nine of the 19 hijackers, who commandeered U.S. jetliners in the September 11 terror attacks were, singled out for special airport security screenings that morning, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman said Saturday, the Washington Post reported.
Two of the alleged hijackers were singled out because of irregularities in their identification documents, the U.S. newspaper reported, while six others were chosen for extra scrutiny by a computerized screening system, prompting a sweep of their checked baggage for explosives or unauthorized weapons.
However, CNN reports that at the time of the attacks, the box-cutting knives the hijackers used to take control of the planes would have been allowed to be taken onto the aircraft.
The daily reported that the ninth was listed on ticket documents as traveling with one of the hijackers with questionable identification.
The disclosure raises further questions about the adequacy of aviation security measures before the attacks, which have come under criticism since the terror attacks.
The FAA spokesman, who asked not to be identified, said all proper procedures were followed regarding the screening of the hijackers.
"We are looking into all these accusations of breaches, as well as specific incidents that led up to September 11," said Florida Congressman John Mica, chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, in the Post.
"These are the kinds of questions we are trying to get answered," he said
Law enforcement and aviation officials refused to discuss other aspects of the screening, including which hijackers were selected, whether they were interrogated or whether the knives were discovered at security checkpoints, according to the Post.
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