Terror Suspect Arrested At O'Hare

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Oct 23, 2009 7:00PM

Ismail Alqawasmi, 36, was arrested at O'Hare last night in connection with terror threats made in Minnesota; there was a warrant for his arrest. According to the Sun-Times:

Alqawasmi flew into the United States from Amman, Jordan, on Royal Jordanian airlines and a customs official conducting a name check found an active warrant from Wright County in Buffalo, Minn, for “terroristic threats,” according to police.

The alleged threats did not entail a "big plot or conspiracy," according to Wright County Sheriff's Sgt. Michael Steffer.

Alqawasmi was charged with misdemeanor assault and felony terrorist threats after a Jan. 18, 2008, incident in which he allegedly made a threat to a male acquaintance, Steffer said.

A warrant was issued for Alqawasmi after he failed to show for an October 5, 2009 jury trial.

Update: While Minnesota officials won't drop charges, they decided against extraditing him and Alqawasmi was released. The incident for which Alqawasmi was arrested was a domestic incident and in no-way related to terrorism.