Jordanian Man Arrested at O'Hare Airport for Alleged Terroristic Threats Will Be Released
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities in Minnesota won't extradite a Jordanian man arrested at O’Hare International Airport Thursday on a warrant for allegedly making terroristic threats, according to MyFoxChicago.com.
Thirty-six-year-old Ismail Alqawasmi of Richfield, Minn., was taken into custody about 8 p.m. Thursday by Chicago police serving a Minnesota warrant.
He flew into the U.S. from Amman, Jordan, on Royal Jordanian Airlines. A customs official doing a name check found an active warrant from Wright County, Minn., for “terroristic threats,” police said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wright County Sheriff's officers said Friday that they'll release Alqawasmi and won't drive him to Chicago to extradite him, according to Cook County State's Attorney spokesman Andy Conklin.
Wright County Sheriff's Sgt. Michael Steffer said the alleged terror threats didn't involve a "big plot or conspiracy," MyFoxChicago.com reported.
Alqawasmi was charged with felony terroristic threats and misdemeanor assault after a January 2008 incident in which he allegedly threatened a male acquaintance with a steak knife, according to Steffer.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He didn't show up for his jury trial on Oct. 5 in Buffalo, Minn., prompting the warrant was issued, Steffer said.
Conklin said the charges in Minnesota won't be dropped and will still stand if Alqawasmi is arrested there.