Diplomat in airplane bomb scare released after questioning, heading back to DC, lawyers say

Law firm: Diplomat released after plane bomb scare

WASHINGTON — A law firm representing the Qatar embassy says the diplomat who prompted an airplane bomb scare has been released by authorities after questioning.

A spokesperson for the firm Brown Lloyd James said Thursday the diplomat was on his way back to Washington.

In a statement, Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S. said the diplomat was traveling from Washington to Denver on business and didn’t do anything threatening.

Authorities speaking on condition of anonymity said they don’t think the man was trying to hurt anyone and he won’t be charged with a crime.

Two law enforcement officials say suspicions arose when the man apparently tried to sneak a smoke in the airplane bathroom. They say he was asked about the smoky smell and joked about trying to light his shoes — leading air marshals to restrain him.